Design of Compact Patch Antenna for TPMS Applications

In this paper, we present and analyze the design process for a compact, low-profile patch antenna on an FR-4 glass epoxy microwave substrate. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS, is a system that monitors tire pressure for each individual wheel on a vehicle to ensure optimal tire performance and safety. The system has significantly reduced the number of accidents caused by tire deflation, resulting in the saving of hundreds of lives and billions of dollars. The antenna is the main component that sends the tire pressure information to the driver's dashboard, and the driver can monitor the tire pressure constantly through wireless networks. Through a compact antenna, the driver is aware of the pressure on a moving tire. In this paper, a compact microstrip patch antenna is proposed for TPMS applications. The simulated resonant frequency of this antenna is 433.86 MHz, which is applicable for the European Union standard TPMS RF band. The corresponding bandwidth (10 dB) of this antenna is 10.09%. This antenna's reduction in resonant frequency is 81.21% in comparison with the reference antenna. Design details of each proposed topology and the results of both simulations and experiments are outlined and discussed with a parametric study. The radiation characteristics, input impedance, and efficiency are also depicted with a relatively stable measured response.