Electromagnetic modeling and simulation of a directly-modulated L-band microstrip patch antenna

An electromagnetic simulation model of an L-band microstrip patch antenna with integrated PIN diodes is constructed using Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and is analyzed to explore how the antenna's input impedance, center frequency and carrier wave radiation pattern are impacted by biasing the PIN diodes with a baseband modulation signal. By exploring the radiation characteristics of this specific example of direct antenna modulation, as applied to a patch antenna structure, the first steps are taken towards a general model of the direct antenna modulation technique.