Broadside 6-element series-fed slot-coupled microstrip antenna array

A C-band, six-element slot-coupled microstrip antenna array is presented. The array architecture employs a dual series feeding mechanism, where opposite ends of the array are fed with equal but anti-phase signals in order to maintain a broadside pattern over frequency. This approach facilitates the use of the 6-element panel in high gain, omni-directional arrays for airborne applications that require frequency-hopping capability. The elevation pattern stability is shown from 4.5 GHz to 5.5 GHz and the measured gain of the array is 12.6 dB.