Design and Development of Efficient Feeding Network Structure for Patch Antenna Array Modules in UAV Communication Applications

This article focused on the development of microstrip patch antenna with linear and planar array distribution structures. Ansoft HFSS electromagnetic simulation software was used to analyze the radiation and reflection parameter of the designed element. Initially, single element antenna was realized and further 1 × 2, 2 × 2, and 1 × 4 array structures were analyzed with a due consideration of two different substrate materials such as Duroid-5880 and FR-4. 1 × 4 array antenna with Duroid-5880 offers highest gain of 14.12 dB. To validate the design concept, 1 × 2 array antenna was fabricated. S11 parameter was measured using a vector network analyzer and it has downward frequency shift by 54.5 MHz as compared to simulated results. The radiation characteristic of the antenna was measured on anechoic chamber, and the E/H plot reveals that antenna is unidirectional. Measured gain is enhanced by 7.82 dB as compared to simulated results.