Low-Profile Wideband High-Gain Array Antenna With Quasi-Microstrip Feeding Network

Abstract

In contemporary communication systems, especially military radar systems, there is a significant demand for low-profile, wideband, high-gain antennas that can operate across the X-band (8–12 GHz). Despite numerous studies on X-band antennas, they are often characterized by limitations such as low gain, narrow bandwidth, or a high profile. This letter presents a monopole array antenna that combines the advantages of low-profile, wideband, and high-gain. And a parallel feeding network based on a quasi-microstrip structure is designed in this letter, which solves the problem of difficult feeding for this type of array. Through parameter optimization of the array antenna, its overall size is obtained as 76 mm × 63 mm × 5 mm, with an operational frequency range of 7.4–13.3 GHz and a relative bandwidth of 59%. Rigorous measurement of the array antenna's prototype has been conducted, revealing a high degree of congruence with simulation results. The measured results show that the antenna has a stable gain in the range of 13–14.3 dBi, and the highest measured aperture efficiency reached 47%. It is facile to fabricate and readily integrates with communication systems. This design also has a certain promotional effect on the research of wideband antennas.