Bandwidth optimization of an ultra-wide band microstrip antenna

Thispaper presents an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) microstrip antenna designed by optimizing four antenna parameters. The antenna was etched on an FR4_epoxy substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and thickness of 1.6 mm. The design process starts with a conventional microstrip antenna which has a S₁₁<; -10 dB fractional bandwidth of 5%. The performance improvement methods are described presenting the resonant behavior at each development stage. The ground plane has been truncated and a slot has been placed on the patch. The size of the ground plane, position of the slot and size of the slot have been optimized. In the optimized design, a fractional bandwidth of 117% has been achieved. The UWB performance has been analyzed with the help of the S11 plot and the current patterns.