Design and Simulation of a Series-fed Microstrip Patch Array Antenna for Automotive Radar Application

This paper presents the design and simulation of a series-fed microstrip patch array antenna for automotive radar applications operating at 77 GHz. The proposed antenna, configured in a 4x10 array, addresses common challenges in microstrip antennas, such as high loss and complexity in multi-frequency designs. Using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio Suite for simulation, the antenna demonstrated a gain of 15.02 dBi, a -10 dB bandwidth of 7.05 GHz, and a return loss of -37.53 dB, significantly outperforming traditional 1x10 arrays in terms of directivity, bandwidth, and gain. The design leverages a series-fed technique to minimize complexity and losses, achieving an optimal VSWR and broad beam width suitable for mid-range and long-range radar applications. The optimized dimensions and material properties, including the use of Rogers RO3003 substrate, contribute to the antenna's enhanced performance. This study provides a cost-effective solution for automotive radar systems, essential for collision avoidance and blind spot detection under various weather conditions. Future research will focus on further optimization and real-world testing to validate the antenna's practical applications and explore additional improvements. This work contributes to the advancement of automotive radar technology, enhancing vehicle safety and detection capabilities.