Some recent developments in microstrip antenna design

The fundamental radiation mechanism occurring at an open-circuit discontinuity is discussed to reveal limitations on bandwidth, efficiency, and sidelobe level control inherent in microstrip antennas, based on resonator action. Extraneous radiation from feed transitions is also assessed and shown to be a problem in some cases. Novel two-dimensional arrays using resonant elements are described which illustrate these performance limitations. In contrast, a nonresonant circularly polarized spiral element has a very wide bandwidth at the expense of lower efficiency. Other designs are then noted to show how a particular parameter or aspect can be optimized for antenna applications demanding choice of polarization, frequency scanning, log periodic behavior, low angle radiation, and integration with circuitry on a common substrate.