Design And Evaluation Of A Planar Inverted F-Antenna (PIFA) Array For Microsatellite Communication

Satellite communication is indispensable for a variety of applications, such as remote sensing, navigation, and data transmission. To meet the diverse needs of these applications, dual-band antennas have become essential, operating efficiently at different frequencies. The 1.7 GHz band strikes a balance between propagation path loss and data rate, whereas the 2.4 GHz band offers higher data rates at the expense of increased path loss. Planar Inverted-F Antennas (PIFAs) have gained popularity in satellite applications due to their compact, low-profile design, ideal for the space constraints of satellites. Their omnidirectional radiation patterns ensure consistent communication regardless of the satellite’s orientation. Moreover, PIFAs can be seamlessly integrated with printed circuit boards (PCBs), simplifying the fabrication process. However, designing a dual-band PIFA presents challenges. Achieving optimal performance at two distinct frequencies demands meticulous design considerations, especially concerning the antenna’s geometry and feeding mechanism. This paper focuses on the design and analysis of a dual-band PIFA antenna operating at 1.7 GHz and 2.4 GHz for satellite applications. Utilizing ANSYS HFSS, we simulate and optimize the antenna’s performance in terms of impedance matching, radiation patterns, and gain across both frequency bands. Our design aims to combine compactness suitable for satellite integration with efficient dual-band communication capabilities, meeting the evolving demands of satellite technology. The proposed PIFA structure, comprising a radiating patch and slots, targets dual-band resonance for mobile systems. Simulated using ANSYS HFSS, the PIFA achieves targeted gains of 4.5 dBi and 2.2 dBi at the respective frequencies. The design prioritizes miniaturization for nanosatellite integration while ensuring sufficient gain for reliable communication in resource-constrained space environments.