Dual Frequency Microstrip Patch Antenna for GSM Applications using Steps and Cuts Method

Abstract

This paper presents a design dual frequency microstrip patch antenna for Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) application that is able to cater both narrowband frequency of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. The antenna was printed on the 80 × 120 mm2 Flame Retardant fiber glass epoxy (FR-4) substrate and copper conductor. A microstrip patch antenna is widely recognizes because of light weight, low manufacturing cost, thin profile and easy to fabricate since it has the capability to fit in with the other integrated circuitry. Hence, numerous Radio Frequency (RF) engineers have opted for microstrip patch to design their antennas depending on the specifications and applications needed. The designs and simulations were done by using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Studio Suite 2016. The design processes were first started with the highest frequency band, 1800 MHz using inset feed technique at the center of the antenna patch followed by Steps and Cuts Method for the lowest frequency band of 900 MHz to the initial design. The straight and L-shaped cuts were adopted from the bottom of the patch towards the inset feed for the second method. The fabricated antenna was tested on Advantest Network Analyzer and the result was compared to the one simulated on CST earlier. Lastly, both performance of each antenna was analyzed by observing the S11 and VSWR plots to see if the peak drop of dedicated frequency is below -20dB and within the frequency range of GSM900 and GSM1800. The result of the finalized design antenna was at 904 MHz and 1748 MHz with magnitude of -32.29 dB and -22.94 respectively.