A compact microstrip antenna with tapered peripheral slits for CubeSat RF Payloads at 436MHz: Miniaturization techniques, design & numerical results

Abstract

We elaborate the design and simulation of a planar antenna that is suitable for CubeSat picosatellites. The antenna operates at 436 MHz and its main features are miniature size and the built-in capability to produce circular polarization. The miniaturization procedure is given in detail, and the electrical performance of this small antenna is documented. Two main miniaturization techniques have been applied, i.e. dielectric loading and distortion of the current path. We have added an extra degree of freedom to the latter. The radiator is integrated with the chassis of the picosatellite and, at the same time, operates at the lower end of the UHF spectrum. In terms of electrical size, the structure presented herein is one of the smallest antennas that have been proposed for small satellites. Despite its small electrical size, the antenna maintains acceptable efficiency and gain performance in the band of interest.

Contribution to the miniaturization of antennas: State of the art

“…This method is widely used to miniaturize the Micro Strip Patch Antenna (MPA), several works [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] have appeared in the literature in which the size of the MPA has been reduced by introducing various types of slots in the MPA. The use of this method generally leads to poor polarization purity.…”

“…The use of this method generally leads to poor polarization purity. However, by symmetrical arrangement of the slots on the patch, such purity can be preserved [27]. A miniaturization of 40-75% has been achieved by inserting different types of slots in the MPA.…”

Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antennas with Proximity Coupled Feed for Circularly Polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar

“…Alternatively, a reduction in operating frequency up to 25% can be obtained, given the size of the patch. In (Kakoyiannis & Constantinou, 2008), the authors extended this slit-loading technique by tapering the length of the slits, and thus modulating their length in the spatial domain. It was briefly shown therein that the manipulation of the spatial distribution of the slits can result in greater reduction in size and is also a way to control the input impedance Z in (jω) of the antenna.…”

Microstrip patch antenna miniaturisation techniques: a review

“…The use of a 5-layer conductor improves the efficiency of a miniaturised antenna by 30% as compared with a conventional single-layer conductor. Several works [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] have appeared in the literature in which the size of the MPA has been reduced by introducing various types of slots in the MPA. The use of this method generally leads to poor polarisation purity.…”

“…The use of this method generally leads to poor polarisation purity. However, by symmetrical arrangement of the slots on the patch, such purity can be preserved [31]. A miniaturisation of 40-75% has been achieved by inserting different types of slots in the MPA.…”