Circular-disk microstrip antenna with an air gap

The circular-disk microstrip antenna with an air gap between the substrate and the ground plane is analyzed using the cavity-model theory. A simple formula for the resonant frequencies is obtained. The internal fields, the radiation fields, the effective loss tangent, and the input impedance are derived when the antenna is provided with a coaxial feed. The theory predicts that the air gap does not alter the relative field patterns significantly but it provides a simple parameter by which the resonant frequencies of the antenna can be tuned. Measurements have been performed on a 5 cm circular-disk microstrip antenna with an air gap and good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.