Microstrip antenna array design at Ku-band frequencies

With the developing technology, wireless communication covers a large part of daily life. The largest structures that provide this communication are antennas. In this study, we aim to design a microstrip antenna array that communicates at Ku band frequencies. Ku band frequency range is 12-18 GHz. These antennas are especially used in space industry, military radio and equipment systems, GPS and GSM applications. These antennas are mainly used in the space industry, military radio and equipment systems, GPS and GSM applications and satellite communication systems. Microstrip antennas are preferred because of their small size, light weight, thin structure, easy installation, linear and circular polarization and various geometric shapes. The disadvantages of microstrip antennas are narrow bandwidth, low gain and high losses. To ameliorate these disadvantages, antenna arrays can be formed by combining multiple antennas of different geometries and eliminate the disadvantages. This study focuses on the design of microstrip antenna arrays at Ku band frequencies. First, a reference microstrip antenna operating at 12 GHz is designed. Then, antenna arrays are designed by increasing the number of antennas. The gain, directivity, bandwidth and efficiency of the designed antenna arrays are analyzed as the number of elements increases. Rogers TMM4 (h=0.76 mm) dielectric material was used in the design. Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST MWS) was used to design, optimize and simulate the antennas. The Ku band 4x4 microstrip antenna array was realized in the laboratory environment and measurements were performed. Simulation results and measurement results are compared.