AnElectromagneticalyCoupledVariablePositionFeedlineIn.docVIP

An Electromagnetically Coupled Variable Position Feedline Within A Two Layer Microstrip Antenna Gregory M. Swick Overview – A microstrip antenna tuning method is presented that implements an electromagnetically coupled traveling feedline structure positioned on a layer between a ground plane and a patch radiator. Experimental results compare the position of the open ended feedline, inset from the patch edge, to impedance, return loss, standing wave ratio and bandwidth. I. Introduction A low profile presentation and its ease of construction are two primary reasons industry and institutions have been attracted to microstrip antennas. The ability to be integrated into an inconspicuous package with a low weight factor is a benefit of the afore mentioned. Due to the nature of working with printed elements, the design and prototype phase as well as tuning and matching to a source in a real application can be cumbersome lending to acceptance of performance less than optimum. Coupling of a feedline is dictated to by two attributes, the distance the feedline is located in from the patch edge and the width of the patch. The idea of varying patch width is a limitation. If a method of tuning is to be implemented that does not include varactor tuning [1] or some method of automated mechanical tuning [2] then one could implement a more simplistic method of a moveable feedline assuming a fixed patch width. In this document, experimental data is compiled on a manually adjusted feedline structure serving as part of a fundamental two layer electromagnetically coupled microstrip antenna [3]. The feedline is approximately a half wavelength transmission line with a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms. It is printed on a section of FR4 that is allowed to slide below the patch radiator and above the gr