Mutual coupling and electromagnetic diffraction influence on GPS microstrip antenna arrays

We analize the performance of a microstrip antenna array considering mutual coupling (MC) and diffraction phenomenon (DF). These effects are the reason of distortions on the individual radiation patterns of each antenna when they are placed together. A four element plane array capable of receiving GPS signals at L1 band is analized. The effects of MC and DF are quantified through numerical simulations to compare the advantages of knowing the implemented beamforming based on the characterized distorted patterns. Results prove that, for a few elements array, precise knowledge of each individual radiation pattern in the array is essential for achieving good performance on interferences mitigation. Finally, first measures of a built prototype are shown and they fit properly with simulations.