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This article discusses the application of a synthesis method for, and the subsequent experimental characterization, of an active microstrip patch antenna. The active antenna incorporates a GaAs MESFET on the patch periphery and the circuit acts as a self-oscillating radiating element. The MESFET and the antenna are mounted on the same side of the circuit, thereby preserving the conformal nature of the structure. The synthesis approach described is based on the method of harmonic balance and allows optimal FET terminations to be selected for a predefined, added power at a specified frequency of operation. Application of a time domain simulator is illustrated in order to demonstrate start-up performance and limit cycle formation in the presence and absence of a frequency entrainment signal. The issue of stability of the active element is also addressed using a modified devicehoad line method. Theoretical and experimental results are presented for the external quality factor, locking power/phase variation, and power and frequency pushing characteristics of the active antenna. Finally, the effect on oscillator behavior of the mutual coupling between the microstrip patch and the active antenna distributed embedding elements is discussed.

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