FDTD simulations and measurements on planar antennas for mobile phones

The design, simulation and measurements of a rectangular microstrip (or "patch") antenna at 1.9 GHz are summarized in this paper. The Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of this antenna and its bandwidth are simulated using the software Ansoft Ensemble/spl trade/. Also, the horizontal plane radiation pattern and the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the user's head, as well as the near and the far field are simulated using an algorithm based in the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Measurements of the VSWR and of the radiation patterns on the horizontal and vertical planes are also shown. It can be observed that this type of antennas can be an adequate alternative to improve the performance of mobile phones and to reduce the non ionizing energy absorbed in the user's head, reducing therefore health risks.