Design of a Rectangular Microstrip (4x4) Element Array and its Performance Evaluation in the Free Space and in the Plasma Medium

Abstract

The radiation characteristics of a rectangular microstrip planar antenna array (4x4) elements with a corporate feed network is studied in the free space and in the plasma medium both theoretically and experimentally. The field patterns are computed in the free space using the numerical method proposed by Tonye et al based on generalized Green's function approach. A theoretical study of radiation of Electromagentic (EM) and Electroacoustic (EA) waves in lossy compressible weakly ionized plasma has been made using hydrodynamic theory of plasma and its dependence on the ratio of source to plasma frequencies has been investigated. The far-zone field expressions in the plasma medium for array geometry are derived using vector weve function technique and pattern multiplication approach. Radiation patterns are measured for the above two different modes. Other important antenna parameters like direction on maximum radiation, half power beamwidth (HPBW) and radiation conductance are computed and measured.

Indexing terms:

• Array
• Radiation patterns
• Half power beamwidth

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R P Yadav

Rajendra Prasad Yadav, was born in the village Kanwarpura, district Jaipur on 13th October 1962. He received his MTech in Integrated Electronics and Circuits from IIT Delhi in 1987 and PhD (Engg) in Communication area from University of Rajasthan in 2000. He joined Deptartment of Electrical Engg at Malaviya Regional Engineering College Jaipur as Lecturer in 1987 and currently working as Senior Reader in the Deptartment of Electronics and Communication Engg. He has several research papers published in the journals, conferences and symposiums. He is working on the MHRD sponsored projects in the area of Microstrip Anennas and arrays and digital rapid prototyping machine. He has also served as co-ordinator (Electronics Stream) of the project Impact. He has been instrumental in setting up an Electromagnetic Radiation Research Lab in the department. He is Fellow of IETE and presently working as secretary of IETE Rajasthan Local Centre at Jaipur. He is also the life member of ISTE.

S Sancheti

Sandeep Sancheti, was born on August 18, 1961. He received the BTech degree in ECE from REC Warangal, and the MSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi in 1982 and 1985, respectively. He completed PhD from Queens University, Belfast, UK in 1995 under Commonwealth Scholarship Scholarship and Fellowship from Government of India and ACU.

From 1984 to 1990, he was Assistant Professor in the Department of ECE, University of Jodhpur. From 1990 to 1999 he served as Reader and is currently serving as Professor & Head of the ECE Department, MREC, Jaipur. He is a fellow of IETE, Member IEEE and Life Member ISTE. He is also recipient of SERC Visiting Fellowship and UKISTRF Award. His current research interests are Active & Smart Antenna, Non-linear Microwave Circuit & System Design and Semiconductor Device Modeling for high frequency applications.

R K Gupta

Raj Kumar Gupta, was born on 31st July 1937. He obtained his MSc (Physics 1959), PhD (Physics) from University of Rajasthan in 1969 and PhD (Electronics) from University of Sheffield UK in 1971. He is Fellow of IETE and IE(India) and life member of Indian Science Congress Association. He started his career as Assistant Professor in University of Rajasthan Jaipur in 1959 and served as Assistant Executive Engineer in overseas communication Service GOI (1963–65), Technical Manager Electronics Corporation of India Hyderabad (1972–78), Prof of Physics (1978–86), Prof of Electronics Engg (1986–97), Head of Department of Physics (1978–81; 1984–86), Head Deptartement of Electrial Engg (1989–92), Head Department of Electronics Engg (1994–97) and Principal (1994) all at Malaviya Regional Engg College Jaipur. He was also Dean of Faculty of Engg and Technology, University of Rajasthan for 1989–1992.

He has published more than 110 papers in 26 internationally referred journals, conference and workshops. 12 persons have obtained PhD under his guidance. He was also awaded best paper award by IETE in 1969. His areas of interest are Electromagnetic radiation from antennas, study of plasma, microstrip and neuoronic antennas. He has formulated Neuron principles which are undergoing experimental verification.