Design considerations for sub-GHz multilayer microstrip antenna for near ground communication links in rural areas

This paper presents some preliminary results of design and development of sub-GHz multilayer microstip antenna for use in near ground communication applications. In design stage of the antenna, iterative approach was applied. Firstly, a two layer microstrip antenna design process is presented. Next, the corners of the patch were cut, and a vertical wall on all sides of the antenna were introduced. In this way, both the size and resonant freqeuncy can be tuned. Moreover, as an application specific requirement, it is intended to embed this antenna into a metal box in order to protect it from man-made and natural environmental effects. This was also studied, and effects of the embedding ground on the antenna characteristics were examined. It is shown that the designed antenna provides -27dB resturn loss, and 7.3dB peak gain at 915MHz with the dimension of 150×200×13mm. Some preliminary measurements have proven the simulations.