MATLAB code development for visualization of microstrip antenna properties

Abstract

Microstrip antenna is one type of antenna that consists of a metal patch, a dielectric substrate and a metal ground plane. It has been receiving increasing popularity nowadays due to the technology advancement and a cost reduction of materials. Due to its unique advantages over other types of antenna, the microstrip antenna is expected to be widely used in integrated circuit design as well as many other fields of applications. Among various shapes of microstrip antennas, rectangular and circular microstrip antennas are the two basic types, the analysis of which are simple and applicable to speculate properties of the microstrip antenna of other shapes. Antenna analysis is performed for an understanding of the antenna properties as well as for a rough estimation of the design parameters for antenna design. Different analysis models, such as Transmission Line model and Cavity model, are established for antenna analysis. However, the calculation based on those antenna analysis models involves complex formulas and tedious procedures. A simplified computer-aided design (CAD) model based on various antenna analysis models could be easily programmed into computer for a fast and repetitive antenna design analysis. This project performed a MATLAB code development for rectangular and circular microstrip antenna analysis. The program was able to calculate values of antenna properties based on the user inputs. The trends of antenna characteristics with respect to related variables were also implemented into the program. The program was useful in understanding and visualizing the characteristics of microstrip antenna. A rough estimation of design parameters as well as the effects of radiation of the microstrip antenna helped user to verify their design before conducting a simulation.