CHAPTER 3

MULTIBAND TRIANGULAR MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA WITH

TRIANGULAR SPLIT RING RESONATOR (VARIANT 1)

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter aims to design a metamaterial-inspired triangular-shaped patch antenna

for multiband applications. Initially, a triangular patch is considered in which a triangular-

shaped complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) is incorporated. FR4 substrate is considered

for this variant with an overall dimension of 50*30. An equilateral triangular patch with a

dimension of 26.3 mm is etched over the substrate. A complementary triangular shaped SRR

is detached from the triangular patch. This assembly has been referred to as variant 1.

3.2 MULTIBAND ANTENNAS

In this modern world to satisfy the wireless technological requirements of the end-user

the electronic device has to operate more than one frequency standard. Hence the researchers

are working towards the concept of multiband resonating devices. The base for multiband

resonating devices is multiband antennas where a single antenna can resonate over multiple

operating bands. The curiosity towards the multiband antenna upsurges to condense the number

of antennas implanted in a single device. There are many types of multiband antennas are

offered which can be characterized as below.

❖ Printed dipole antenna

❖ Loop antenna

❖ Slot antenna

❖ Printed inverted F antenna (PIFA)

 There are a lot of researchers who have designed a diverse number of multiband

antennas using any one of the above techniques. Nevertheless, the size of the antenna is the

foremost setback in these techniques. So, this leads to the emergence of a microstrip patch

antenna in the area of multiband operations. The prime advantages of patch antennas are easy

integration and can be mass-produced. Multiband operations can be grasped by numerous

methods like slots in the patch, ground plane, adding various shapes of fractals, and the use of

metamaterials in the patch/ ground plane.

3.3 TRIANGULAR MICROSTRIP ANTENNA (TMSA)

In microstrip antenna, several radiating patch shapes are available such as a rectangular,

circular, triangular, square, elliptical, annular ring. Helszajn and James introduced the

triangular shape patch structures that would be a right-angle triangle, equilateral triangle, etc

[37]. The triangular microstrip patch antenna is made up of the triangular radiating patch that

is placed on top of the dielectric substrate material and the ground plane is kept underneath it.

The structure of the triangular patch is denoted in Fig. 3.1.

Θ=60

Fig. 3.1 Structure of equilateral triangular patch antenna

The main advantages of the triangular microstrip antenna are to be small and less

occupancy which is half of the normal metalized patch area compared to other patch shapes.
The design of the MIMO triangular patch antenna plays a significant function which is reducing

the mutual coupling effects. TMSA is also good for providing compact size along with high

directivity. Compared to circular patch equilateral triangular patch antenna can afford different

modes and also enhancing the bandwidths. Hence compared to all other patch shapes, the

triangular patch is the best one for space applications. Equilateral Triangular Microstrip

Antenna (ETMSA) produces less radiation loss and broad radiation pattern [14].

Compared with the rectangular, circular patch, triangular patch antennas are featured

with a smaller size for a fixed frequency. The triangular patch produced the same radiation

characteristics as a rectangular or circular patch with lesser size. When rectangular, circular,

semi-circular, annular ring, and a triangular MPAs are operated at the fundamental mode

around 2.5 GHz with coaxial probe excitation, the other shapes took double the area than

triangular patch. If the triangular patches are used as elements of an array, then the element

spacing is less than the rectangular patch antenna. So can we have more elements can be

included in a limited area.

An optimization technique was done by Murari Shaw & Malay Gangopadhyay (2017),

by adjusting the prob feed positions in the triangular patch antenna to analyze the number of

modes. They have achieved a maximum of seven radiating modes between 1 GHz to 6.5 GHz

[127, 128].

METHOD OF FEEDING THE TRIANGULAR MICROSTRIP ANTENNA

 Feeding techniques that are used for rectangular microstrip antenna are also suited for

triangular microstrip antenna. Various feeding methods are conferred as below.

Inset Fed

The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) technique was used for feed position

variation owing to realize the input impedance of the rectangular patch antenna and was

explored theoretically. The radiation characteristics of the inset-fed rectangular patch antenna

at the resonant frequency were examined and it is very clear that cross-polarization increases

when the notch depth is increased [120].

Coaxial Feed

The input impedance and the radiation pattern were conferred for the coaxial feed

triangular patch. Coaxial or probe feed TMSA that generates circular polarization [32,38].

Strip line feed

Strip line feed method is used along with A monopole triangular patch microstrip

antenna to operate at broadband for telecom and mobile applications. Along with all feeding

techniques, a good comparison was made in which best one is taken for stimulation and

fabrication [38].

PROBLEM STATEMENT/ OBJECTIVES

❖ Design a compact triangular patch antenna for multiband application

❖ Enhance the gain of the antenna using a Complementary triangular split ring resonator.

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

❖ Size of the antenna 50*30*1.6 mm 3.

❖ Number of resonances – 04 (quad band resonance)

❖ Bandwidth on each resonance should be more than 100 MHz

❖ Gain of individual resonances should be greater than 3 dBi.

DESIGN GOALS

❖ Design a compact triangular patch antenna for multiband applications.

❖ The designed variant should cover Wi-Max, WLAN, Downlink satellite communication,

and X- band communication simultaneously.

❖ Adequate return loss (Less than 10 dB) and VSWR (less than 2) should be maintained.
 Design a triangular patch antenna

Selection of an appropriate feeding

technique

Incorporate trinangular CSRR

Crete additonal slots to ensure

multiband operations

Metamaterial inspired trinagular

patch antenna (Variant 1)

Fig. 3.2 Design flow of the proposed variant 1

3.4 ANTENNA DESIGN

A compact triangular-shaped patch antenna with a triangular split ring resonator has a

dimension of 50*30*1.6 mm3 is proposed. I order to accomplish the multiple resonance two

rectangular stubs of the same size have been detached from the patch. The etched parts chunk

the main current stream into diverse paths, which engenders multiple resonant modes. In

accumulation to this, a triangular split ring resonator is acquainted with the patch to wreck the
additional resonance and also to advance the performance. The schematic of the projected

variant is represented in Fig. 3.3.

Fig. 3.3 Schematic of the proposed variant 1

The foremost step in antenna design is to select appropriate substrate material to ensure

antenna performance. The most widely used Flame Retardant 4 dielectric component is cast-

off in the design of aerial which has a thickness of 1.6 mm and a relative permittivity of 4.4.

The antenna is fed with the 50 Ω microstrip line feed to ensure a good impedance match. 3D

Electromagnetic simulation software is used for simulation.

 The proposed design has three stages of the evolution process, to acquire the multiple

resonances and it is revealed in Fig. 3.4. The antenna design procedure has been initialized

with a triangular patch with the ground plane. The first stage of an antenna (Stage 1) exhibits

a single resonance at a 3.6 GHz frequency. Secondly two rectangular stubs of dimension W1,

L1 engraved on the patch (Stage 2). This augments two additional resonances at 4.1 GHz and

5.6 GHz. hence at the end of stage two, the total resonating modes of the antenna become three.

Stage three A triangular split ring resonator is added to the patch which creates an additional

resonance at 9.7 GHz. Table 3.1 and table 3.2 illustrates various quantifiable aspects of the

proposed aerial and dimensions of the CTSRR. With the help of the equilateral microstrip

triangular antenna, the first stage antenna design is developed and the length of the patch is

attained from

2𝑐
𝑎= … (3.1)
3𝑓𝑟 √Ɛ𝑒𝑓𝑓

where

‘𝑐 ‘denotes the velocity of light in free space,

‘𝑓𝑟 ’ represents the resonant frequency

‘Ɛ𝑒𝑓𝑓 ’ denotes effective dielectric constant, and it is specified as

(Ɛ𝑟 −1) (Ɛ𝑟 −1) 12𝑤 −(1⁄2)

Ɛ𝑒𝑓𝑓 = + [1 + ] … (3.2)
2 4 ℎ
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

Fig. 3.4 Design stages of variant 1

Table 3.1 Design specification of variant 1

Parameter Value (mm) Parameter Value (mm)

L 50 W2 0.2

W 30 W1 3.05

L1 22.8 A 26.4

L2 5 - -
 Table 3.2 Dimension of the complementary TSRR

Parameter Value (mm)

a1 6.5

L3 2.8

W3 0.3

PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS

The position and size of the slits are varied to get the optimum return loss. Both slits 1

& 2 are adjusted and varied equally in this analysis. The parametric analysis is carried out is

illustrated below. Variations of return loss are analyzed, and out of which the best one is

finalized and progressed which is considered as variant 1.

(i) Variation in length of the slits

When the length and width of the slits are 3 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -9.4 dB, -10.4 dB, - 7.6 dB,

and -8.9 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 4 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -10.2 dB, -14.3 dB, -8.8 dB,

and -6.8 dB respectively.

 When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -12.1 dB, -11.7 dB, 19.5 dB,

and -14.1 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 6 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6, GHz and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -13.8 dB, -10.2 dB, -11.8 dB,

and -10.0 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 7 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -15.7 dB, -13.1 dB, - 7.9 dB,

and -9.1 dB respectively.

(ii) Variation in width of the slits

When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.1 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -10.3 dB, -13.6 dB, - 13.8 dB,

and -15.04 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.2 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -12.1 dB, -11.7 dB, 19.5 dB,

and -14.1 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.3 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -11.6 dB, -11.4 dB, - 7.9 dB,

and -9.1 dB respectively.

 When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.4 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -12.2 dB, -10.7 dB, - 17.3 dB

and -15.0 dB respectively.

When the length and width of the slits are 5 and 0.5 mm, then the resonant frequencies

3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -12.6 dB, -10.0 dB, - 12.5 dB,

and -09.6 dB respectively.

(iii) Variation in position (Y-axis)

The position of the slits varied with respect to y-axis by keeping the x-axis position

constant (27.2 mm from the origin).

When the position of slit 1 is 27.2, 6, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of slit 2 is

27.2, 24, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and

9.6 GHz has the return loss of -10.1 dB, 12.2 dB, - 14.6 dB, and -09.3 dB respectively.

When the position of slit 1 is 27.2, 7, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of slit 2 is

27.2, 21, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and

9.6 GHz has the return loss of -10.6 dB, 20.4 dB, - 25.9 dB, and -12.1 dB respectively.

When the position of slit 1 is 27.2, 8, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of slit 2 is

27.2, 22, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and

9.6 GHz has the return loss of -12.1 dB, -11.7 dB, 19.5 dB, and -14.1 dB respectively.

(iv) Variation in position (X-axis)

 The position of the slits varied with respect to x-axis by keeping the y-axis position

constant (8 mm and 22 mm from the origin for slits 1 and 2).

When the position of slit 1 is 25.2, 8, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of slit 2 is

25.2, 22, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz,

and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -09.1 dB, 13.3 dB, - 08.3 dB, and -06.7 dB respectively.

When the position of slit 1 is 26.2, 8, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of slit 2 is

26.2, 22, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz,

and 9.6 GHz has the return loss of -09.0 dB, 10.4 dB, - 08.6 dB, and -07.5 dB respectively.

When the position of slit 1 is 27.2, 8, 1.6 mm from the origin, position of slit 2 is 27.2,

22, 1.6 mm from the origin then the resonant frequencies 3.5 GHz, 4.1 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.6

GHz has the return loss of -12.1 dB, -11.7 dB, 19.5 dB, and -14.1 dB respectively.

From the parametric analysis it is found that the size of the slit is 5 and 0.2 mm and the

position is of the slit 1 is 27.2, 8, 1.6 mm from the origin, the position of the slit 2 is 27.2, 22,

1.6 mm provides the optimum return loss in all the resonating bands. This has been finalized

and considered as variant 1. Parametric analysis comparison of variant 1 is illustrated in Fig.

3.5.
 0 0

S11(dB)
S11(dB)

-5 -5

-10 -10

-15 -15

-20 -20
0.1 mm 0.2 mm 3 mm 4 mm
0.3 mm 0.4 m 5 mm 6 mm
-25 0.5 mm -25 7 mm
2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5
Frequency Frequency

(a) Variation in length (b) Variation in width

0 0
S11(dB)
S11(dB)

-5 -5

-10 -10

-15 -15

-20 -20
Y1 (8,22) Y2 (7, 23) X1 (27.2) X2 (26.2)
Y3 (6,24) X3 (25.2)
-25 -25
2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5
Frequency Frequency

(c) Variation in X direction (d) Variation in Y direction

Fig. 3.5 Parametric analysis of variant 1

TRIANGULAR SPLIT RING RESONATOR (TSRR)

The metamaterials are incorporated with the patch antenna by means of a split ring resonator

or complementary split ring resonators. This chapter projected a triangular split-ring resonator

since it occupies only a fewer area of the patch. The structure and parameters of triangular SRR
are represented in Fig. 3.6. The size of the CTSRR is 6.5 mm which is less than ⋋/8 thus ensure

the property of the metamaterials. Hence extraction of metamaterial has not carried out in this

work.

Fig. 3.6 Structure of TSRR

3.5 SIMULATED RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The simulated view of variant 1 is represented in Fig. 3.7. At desired frequencies, the

return loss is less than -10dB for the designed variant. From the proposed variant multiple

resonating frequencies are obtained at 3.5 GHz, 4.1GHz, 5.6GHz, and 9.7 GHz. The Reflection

coefficient of the stimulated variant is represented in Fig. 3.8. The simulated Voltage Standing

Wave Ratio is demonstrated as less than 2 for all the operating bands which are illustrated in

Fig. 3.9.
 Fig. 3.7 Simulated view of the proposed variant

-5

-10
S11(dB)

-15

-20

-25
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency (GHz)

Fig.3.8 Simulated S parameter against frequency

 12

10

Magnitude of VSWR
8

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency (GHz)

Fig. 3.9 Simulated VSWR against frequency

Fig. 3.10 Surface current distribution for 3.5 and 4.1 GHz
 Fig. 3.11 Surface current distribution for 5.6 GHz and 9.7 GHz.

(a) (b)

Fig. 3.12 Radiation characteristics at 3. 5 GHz (a) Phi= 0 deg. (b) Phi = 90 deg.
 (a) (b)

Fig. 3.13 Radiation characteristics at 4.1 GHz (a) Phi= 0 deg. (b) Phi = 90 deg.

(a) (a)

Fig. 3.14 Radiation characteristics at 5.6 GHz (a) Phi= 0 deg. (b) Phi = 90 deg.
 (a) (b)

Fig. 3.15 Radiation characteristics at 9.7 GHz (a) Phi= 0 deg. (b) Phi = 90 deg.

In Fig. 3.10 and 3.11 surface current distribution of the proposed variant 1 is illustrated.

At the quad-band operation of 3.5, 4.1, 5.6, and 9.7 GHz, the current distribution is found. It is

noted that the concentration of the longest current density vector is found adjacent to the etch

outs of the patch antenna.

2D Radiation characteristics of the designed variant at phi equal to 0 degree and phi

equal to 90 degree are represented in Fig. 3.12 to 3.15. From the proposed variant Omni-

directional radiation is obtained and obtained radiations are found to be stable at the operating

bands.

The bandwidth plot for variant 1 is illustrated in Fig. 3.16. bandwidth of all the four

resonant frequencies along with their start and stop frequencies are summarized in Table 3.3.

All the resonating bands have a bandwidth greater than 100 MHz which ensures the better

performance of variant 1.
 The front to back ratio of the proposed variant is 21.3 dB, 18.5 dB, 8.25 dB, and 8.5 dB

at the resonant frequencies, which is represented in Table 3.3. The peak directivity of variant

1 is 2.8, 2.1, 3.6, and 2.0 mag. respectively.

Fig. 3.16 Bandwidth plot for proposed variant 1

Table 3.3 Bandwidth of the proposed variant 1

Resonant Frequency Start Frequency Stop Frequency Bandwidth

(GHz) (GHz) (GHz) (MHZ)

3.5 3.457 3.579 122

4.1 4.053 4.219 166

5.6 5.508 5.675 167

9.7 9.575 9.979 404

The E- plane and H- plane co and cross polarization plots are represented in Fig. 3.17. The co

and cross polarization separation seems to be good over the resonant frequencies. The

simulated gain versus frequency plot is represented in Fig. 3.18.

(a) 3.5 GHz (b)4.1 GHz

(D) 9.7 GHZ

(C) 5.6 GHz
 ----- - E-CoPol/----- -E-CxPol/----- - H-CoPol/------H-CxPol

Fig. 3.17 Co and Cross pol levels of variant 1

4
Gain (dB)

-2

-4

-6

-8
2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5
Frequency (GHz)

Fig. 3.18 Simulated gain Vs frequency plot of variant 1

3.6 FABRICATION OF PROTOTYPE AND TESTING

The proposed variant is fabricated using FR4 substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm. The

front and back view of the prototype is illustrated in Fig. 3.19. In order to validate the simulated

reflection coefficient and VSWR parameters, fabricated variant testing was completed using

N9936B Filed Fox Handheld Vector Network Analyzer with the maximum frequency of 14

GHz which is illustrated in Fig. 3.20. The return loss and VSWR of the prototype are

represented in Fig. 3.21 and 3.22. Both the return loss and VSWR are found to agree well with

the simulated results.

 Fig. 3.19 Photograph of the fabricated variant

Fig. 3.20 Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)

-5

-10
S11(dB)

-15

-20

-25

-30
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency (GHz)

Fig. 3.21 Return loss of measured variant

 8

6
Magnitude of VSWR

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency (GHz)

Fig. 3.22 VSWR of measured variant

COMPARISON BETWEEN SIMULATED AND MEASURED RESULTS

S11 Simulated S11 Measured

0

-5

-10
S11 (dB)

-15

-20

-25

-30
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency

Fig. 3.23 Return loss simulated and measured

 12

10

Magnitude of VSWR
8

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Frequency (GHz)

Fig. 3.24 VSWR simulated and measured

Comparison is made between the simulated and measured parameters of return loss and

VSWR and it is represented here. The return loss comparison is illustrated in Fig. 3.23 and the

VSWR comparison is illustrated in Fig. 3.24. The Summary of the proposed variant 1 is

illustrated in Table 3.4. To establish the effectiveness of the proposed system a comparison

table is presented in Table 3.5.

Table 3.4 Summary of variant 1

Front to
Resonant Resonant Peak
Return Back
Freq. Freq. Gain directivity Bandwidth
Loss Ratio
Simulated Measured (dBi) simulated (MHz)
(dB) (dB)
(GHz) (GHz) (Mag.)

3.5 3.5 -12.01 3.3 2.8 122 21.30

4.1 4.0 -11.7 3.7 2.1 166 18.5

5.6 5.5 -19.54 2.8 3.6 167 8.25

9.7 9.7 -14.16 4.2 2.0 404 8.50

 Table 3.5 Comparison with existing research works

Frequency
Size of the
bands Antenna Average peak gain
Reference antenna
covered type (dBi)
(mm)
(GHz)
Chen et al. 2013 21*29 2.44/3.5/5.5 Triband 0.64/1.87/3.74

Liu et al. 2012 23*25 2.4/5.62/6.18 Triple 1.7/2.6/3.2

L. Dang et al. 2010 35*30 2.5/3.5/5.5 Triple 3.86/3.52/4.32
A. Kunwar et al.
20*30 2.5/3.5/5.5 Triple 1.9/2.2/2.6
2015
X. Li et al. 2013 28*13 2.4/3.5/5.5 Triple 0.71/1.95/2.36
K.Vasubabu et al.
60*40 2.5/3.5/5.2/7.0 Multi -
2018
Sabitkumar et al.
32*40 0.7/3.10/5.5 Triple -
2017
L. Kang et al. 2014 32*13 2.5/3.5/5.5 Triple 0.9/1.4/2.6
R. Rajkumar et al. 2.5/5.2/7.4/
25*25 Multi 0.8/0.54/0.55/3.04
2018 8.2
Proposed variant 1 30*50 3.5/4.1/5.6/9.7 Multiband 3.3/ 2.7/ 2.8/ 4.2

3.7 SUMMARY

A triangular microstrip patch antenna for IEEE 802.16e Wi-MAX, IEEE 802.11a

WLAN, C band downlink communication, and x band communication is designed and

developed. The designed variant has a dimension of 50*30*1.6 mm3. The proposed variant has

satisfactory results with better return loss and gain at the resonating frequency of 3.5 GHz, 4.1

GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 9.7 GHz, and also co and cross-polarization concern more than -20 dB

separation.

The current proposal is unique in the sense that a triangular Split ring resonator is

incorporated over the triangular patch for multiband applications is proposed and designed.