Design of the antenna array with a novel feeding network

A novel feeding network based on the microstrip-slotline transition is proposed in this paper. This feeding method not only can be effective to reduce the feed loss and to improve space utilization, but also can make the design of the antenna array easier. Then a microstrip antenna array with four elements is designed based on this feeding network. The antenna array is simulated manufactured and measured, the results show that: the impedance bandwidth below -10dB is 5.7%, from 4.06GHz to 4.3GHz; within the band, the gain of the array is around 12dB, 4.8dB higher than that of the element; the half-power beam-width is small, about 32° in E plane and 42° in H plane; the first side-lobe level is about 10dB below the main beam. These are attractive features, and this feeding network can be used to design larger array simply.