A Tri-Band Stacked Microstrip Patch Antenna for NavIC Ground Segment Applications

In this paper, a stacked tri-band MSA (microstrip patch Antenna) has been designed for potential applications in the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) ground segment. Three square microstrip patches with different substrate layers are stacked with a single coaxial feed and aperture coupling strategy via slotted ground planes for operating at three frequency bands. Simulation results confirm the RHCP radiation characteristics in the NavIC downlink frequency bands (L5, L1 and S), satisfying the NavIC ground segment antenna requirements. To validate the proposed design methodology, an antenna prototype is fabricated and tested.