A tuning fork-shaped microstrip patch antenna for X-band satellite and radar applications

This paper presents the architecture and analysis of a compact tuning fork-shaped microstrip patch antenna for the satellite and radar applications. The presented antenna is modeled for using in X (8-12 GHz) band space communications. The antenna is composed of a tuning fork-shaped patch with a n-shaped parasitic element. The antenna size is 24 mm × 18 mm and the prototype is outlined on Rogers RT/duroid 5880 materials with the thickness of 1.57 mm. The substrate has a relative permittivity of 2.2 and the dielectric constant of 0.0009. The excitation is supplied through a 50Q microstrip line. The performance of the presented antenna has been simulated and analyzed with the High-Frequency Structural Simulator (HFSS). The results depict that the antenna covers the frequency spectrum 8.0-11.10 GHz (X-band) with 10 dB return loss. The antenna has a 5.28 dBi average gain with stable radiation patterns throughout the operating band which makes the presented antenna competent for the satellite and radar applications in X-band.