Comparison Design of the Feeding Method of a 4 × 4 Microstrip Array Antenna

The antenna design intended to develop at working frequencies 8.0 to 8.4 GHz. The array antenna designed in 4 × 4 array antenna with sequential phased feeding network. In this research, two feeding methods had been investigated and compared. That is microstrip feeding line and pin feeding line - this procedure aimed to find the most effective and its capability of feeding method. The circular shape is the main form of the patch design, then truncated by triangular shaped. And elliptical ring slot laid in the center of the patch antenna. The total size of the proposed antenna is 128 × 128 mm and printed on NPC-H220A which has a thickness of 1.6 mm, dielectric constant 2.17 and losses tangen 0.005. The performances of the antenna design are satisfied. The maximum gain reached about 12 dBic for microstrip feeding line method then pin feeding method could be obtained up to 14 dBic. Moreover, reflection coefficient, S11 of the pin feeding method attained of 9.7% (7.6-8.6 GHz), and at its center frequency obtained of -20 dB reflection coefficient. While microstrip feeding line could achieve dual band at 7.4-8.39 GHz and 8.69-9.47 GHz or 23.3%. The main lobe direction of the array is at 0 degrees. The array design delivered excellent performance for satellite communication applications.