119

CHAPTER 4

ANALYSIS OF MUTUAL COUPLING BETWEEN THE

RADIATING PATCHES

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Performance limitation in electronic devices and electromagnetic

structures, due to mutual coupling between elements has been a critical
concern for a long time, and therefore, a subject of much research. Mutual
coupling between the array elements affects the radiation pattern and input
impedance. Excitation of surface waves, which causes Electro Magnetic
Interference (EMI) in the printed antenna, is another challenge in addition to
mutual coupling. The propagation of surface waves decreases the antennas
efficiency and degrades its performance. The radiation from one element in
the array induces a current on the other neighbouring elements, and so on.
The issue manifests more, with increased elements in the array.

The coupling between two or more microstrip antenna elements can

be demonstrated, using the full-wave analysis. While there have been
successful attempts of using the transmission-line model and the cavity model
to establish coupling, the aforementioned methods tend to be complex. The
coupling between two radiating patches that can be analyzed as the coupling
between two aperture or two wire antennas, is a function of the position of
one element relative to the other. For two rectangular microstrip patches, the
coupling between two side-by-side elements is a function of the relative
displacement. When the elements are positioned collinearly along the E-
plane, that arrangement is referred to as the E-plane, as shown in Figure
 120

4.1(a). When the elements are positioned collinearly along the H-plane, that
arrangement is referred to as the H-plane, as shown in Figure 4.1 (b). For an
edge-to-edge separation of S, the E-plane exhibits the smallest coupling
isolation for very small spacing (typically s < 0.10 0), while the H-plane
exhibits the smallest coupling for large spacing (typically s > 0.10 0). The
spacing at which one, plane coupling overtakes the other one depends on the
electrical properties and geometrical dimensions of the microstrip antenna.

Another attempt is made here to reduce mutual coupling between

the microstrip antenna array elements by a placing Slotted Meander Line
Resonator (SMLR) between the radiating patches. Mutual coupling between
the antenna elements may significantly interfere with the neighbouring
antenna unit cells, resulting in reduced antenna gain, operational bandwidth,
and radiation efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome this coupling
effect and improve the diversity gain of the antenna array. Though EBG
structures have the ability to suppress the surface current and overcome the
mutual coupling effects, incorporating these periodic structures in between the
radiating elements, increases the separation between the antenna elements
resulting in larger sizes.

(a) (b)
Figure 4.1 (a) E-plane and (b) H- plane
 121

Mutual coupling is primarily due to the fields that exist along the
air dielectric interface. These fields can be decomposed in to space waves,
higher order waves, surface waves and leaky waves. Due to spherical radial
variation, space ( ) and higher order waves ( ) would dominate the mutual

coupling, in situations where there is very little spacing between the radiating
elements.

4.2 GEOMETRY OF THE MICROSTRIP ANTENNA ARRAY

In this thesis, two patch elements are aligned in the H-plane, but the
fundamental TM surface wave is excited in the E-plane. Figure 4.2 shows
the geometry of the antenna array of the two elements with equivalent circuit
and coupling capacitances. Electromagnetic BandGap structures (EBG) and
the Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) are used to reduce the surface waves in
all directions, and in specified frequency bands. Both the radiating patches
are kept at 0.4 o distance from edge to edge of the patch, where o is the free
space wavelength at the resonant frequency of 4.8 GHz. In the proposed
design, mushroom-like EBGs are placed on both sides of the feedline, in
addition to a single column of EBG cells placed in between the patch
elements. In the proposed design, the distance between the two patches is
reduced to 0.4 o. Further, the work is extended to design a close packed
microstrip patch antenna array by achieving 0.1 o from edge to edge of the
patches, by incorporating slotted meander line resonators in between the two
radiating patches. Also an attempt is made in simulation, to reduce the mutual
coupling in the aperture coupled microstrip antenna array using Frequency
Selective Surface (FSS) as a superstrate. Strong mutual coupling could
reduce the array antenna efficiency and cause scan blindness in phase array
systems. The proposed antenna design, works with the placement of the
mushroom-like EBG structures and the FSS as a superstrate. All the
simulations were carried out in CST microwave studio. The prototype of an
 122

antenna array model is fabricated using FR-4 as the substrate material, with a
dielectric constant of 4.4 and thickness of 1.6 mm.

4.2.1 Analytical Model and Equivalent Circuit Analysis of Mutual

Coupling in the Microstrip Patch Antenna Array

The microstrip patch antenna can be modelled as a parallel RLC

circuit as shown in Figure 4.2. Both the elements of the microstrip patch
antenna array consist of two RLC blocks that represent the equivalent circuit
of each antenna element. The two blocks are connected by a single
capacitance due to the coupling between the two patches. Figure 4.2 shows
the coupling capacitances Cf, Cp, Cf, Cga and Cgd of the antenna array.

For the numerical analysis of the microstrip antenna array, it is

important to determine the resonant resistance R, dynamic capacitance Cdyn,
inductance L, quality factors QT and the reactance XL.

Figure 4.2 Equivalent circuit and coupling capacitances of the two

patches

The electrical model is based on the input impedance Zin, of a

rectangular microstrip antenna given by Equation (4.1)
 123

Zin = R+ jX (4.1)

Equation 4.1 can be written as

f fr
RQT
R fr f
Zin f 2
j XL 2
f 2 fr f
2 fr (4.1 a)
1 Q T 1 Q T
fr f fr f

The resonant resistance R is related essentially to the losses in the

conductor, the dielectric substrate and the radiation quality factor. For a
microstrip antenna array, the resonant resistance R is given as,

QTh 2 x0
R cos (4.2)
fr dyn o WL L

QT is the quality factor, it can be calculated by the cavity model, fr

is the resonant frequency, h is the dielectric thickness, W and L are the
geometrical dimensions of the single patch, and xo is the distance between the
excitation point and the side edge. The dynamic dielectric constant of the
microstrip antenna array dyn is given by,

C dyn
dyn (4.3)
C dyn 0

From Figure 4.2, the dynamic capacitance is seen divided into three
capacitances

'
C d yn C p C f Cf (4.4)
 124

where Cp denotes the parallel capacitance between the element patch and the
ground plane, Cf is the fringe capacitance at the outer edge of the patch and
Cf the fringe capacitance of a side due to the presence of the other.

e 0 e rW L
C p (4.5)
H g n g m

C f C f 1 C f 2 (4.6)

1 r e ff ( r , H ,W ) 0 r W
C f1 L (4.7)
2 n c0 Z ( r 1, H , W ) H

1 re ff ( r , H , L) 0 r L
C f 2 W (4.8)
2 m c0 Z ( r 1, H , L ) H

C f '
r
C f ' 1/ 4 (4.9)
H 10a r e ff
1 A ta n h
A H

where A,

W
A exp 0 .1 e x p 2 .3 3 1 .5 (4.10)
H

From Figure 4.2 the coupling capacitance is derived from the odd
mode capacitance,

C c C g a C g d (4.11)
 125

'
K k
C ga 0 (4.12)
K k

where K(k) and K(k) are the elliptic function and its complement

S
k (4.13)
S 2W

where S is the distance between the two elements of patches and k=

The gap capacitance can be written as

1 k'
0
In 2 for 0 k2 0.5
'
1 k
C ga
0 (4.14)
for 0.5 k2 1
1 k
In 2
1 k

where Cgd represents the capacitance value due to the electric flux in the
dielectric region

0 r S 0.02 1
C gd In coth 0.65 C f r 1 2 (4.15)
4h S r
h

From the previous equations the coupling capacitance between the

patches is calculated.

The geometry used in the calculation of the mutual coupling

between two identical antennas, using the capacitance effect, is shown in
 126

Figure 4.2. In order to obtain a theoretical value for the mutual coupling
between the two microstrip patch antenna arrays, a general two-port network
model is used.

Mutual impedance is calculated using Equation 4.16,

V1
Z 12 (4.16)
I2 I1 0

where V1 is the open-circuit voltage at feed port 1, due to a current that is

applied to feed port 2.

Assume the current I1 = I2 =1 for these equivalent magnetic current

rings.

The mutual coupling S21 (dB) is determined as -13.4 dB,-20 dB and

-23.4 dB for the antenna array without mushroom-like EBG structures, with a
single column of mushroom-like EBG structures, and with feedline
mushroom-like EBG structures respectively.

4.3 MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA ARRAY WITH

MUSHROOM-LIKE EBG STRUCTURES

Figure 4.3(a), (b) and (c) depicts the placing of EBG structures at
the inset feedline and in between the patches. To validate the proposed
design, three approaches of the double patch design are simulated and
fabricated, viz., i) antenna elements without EBG structures, ii) single column
structures in between the patches and iii) EBG structures placed at the
feedline and in between the patches. As EBG structures have the ability to
suppress the surface waves, they are placed in between the patches. The size
of the mushroom-like EBG is 6.7 mm x 6.7 mm for the band gap of 4.4 GHz
to 5.2 GHz.
 127

Figure 4.3 (a) Two element microstrip antenna array without

mushroom-like EBG structures

Figure 4.3 (b) Two element microstrip antenna array with single
column mushroom-like EBG structures in between the
patch
 128

Figure 4.3 (c) Two element microstrip antenna array with mushroom-
like EBG structures placed in between the patches and at
the feedline of each patches

H-plane patch antennas are aligned perpendicular to the electric

current direction. The microstrip antenna on a thin and low permittivity
material has the lowest mutual coupling. The microstrip antenna on a high
permittivity and thick substrate, launches the most severe surface waves
leading to strong mutual coupling. This also results in dielectric losses.

4.4 MICROSTRIP ANTENNA ARRAY WITH SLOTTED

MEANDER LINE RESONATOR (SMLR)

In this research, slotted meander line resonators are proposed to be

the decoupling unit, which occupies less space when compared to EBG
structures, and uses a single standard substrate. Reduction in the spacing
between the radiating elements can increase the packing density of the
radiators in the antenna aperture, resulting in antenna array miniaturization.
The decoupling unit has two sections of slotted meander lines, cascaded and
sandwiched between two patch antennas, designed to work at 4.8 GHz.
Figure 4.4 (a) shows the two element microstrip antenna array with the
 129

meander slotted line resonator. Figure 4.4 (b) shows the cross sectional view
of Slotted Meander Line Resonator view with its dimension specifications.
These SMLR structures act as a band stop resonator, that specifically stops
the surface current from one unit cell to another unit cell. The microstrip
antenna array is excited using 50 microstrip lines through a quarter wave
transformer.

(a)

Figure 4.4 (a) Two element microstrip antenna array with the slotted
meander line resonator

Figure 4.4 (b) Unit cell dimension of the slotted meander line resonator

The slotted meander line structure is an electrical resonator,

because of the oscillation of currents induced within the defected strip. The
SMLR is constructed by creating defects in the conventional microstrip
structure. Because of the introduction of folded slots, the slow wave factor
over the microstrip increases, thereby perturbing the current that flows
through the microstrip structure. This creates a band gap, which blocks the
surface currents at the resonant frequency. This structure when employed as a
 130

decoupling unit, acts like a band reject filter whose fundamental resonant
frequency is controlled by the length of the slot line. To analyze the
performance of the SMLR, a substrate material, with a height of 1.6 mm and a
dielectric constant of 4.4 is used. The SMLR is printed over this standard
substrate, and the simulation is carried out using the full wave analysis. The
proposed SMLR is excited by plane wave, incident at both ends of the SMLR
along the YZ plane. The transmission and reflection characteristics are
studied through this setup, and are shown in Figure 4.4 (a). Figure 4.4 (b)
shows the unit cell dimension and specification of the Slotted Meander Line
Resonator (SMLR). The proposed decoupling unit exhibited a sharp rejection
at a frequency of 4.8 GHz, when the length of the slot is 11 mm. The design
achieves a band reject function between 4.6 GHz and 4.9 GHz for an isolation
greater than 10 dB. Further, to investigate the effect of the slot length on the
resonant characteristics, simulation is carried out for various slot lengths as
shown in Figure 4.4 (c). An increase in the slot length decreases the resonant
frequency. To improve the isolation between the radiating patch resonating at
4.8 GHz, this SMLR with a slot length of 11 mm has to be sandwiched
between the unit cells.

Figure 4.4 (c) S parameter characteristics of SMLR for varied slot

lengths ranging from 9 mm to 11 mm
 131

In order to verify the band reject effect for isolation enhancement in

microstrip antenna arrays, a two element array is constructed, using microstrip
patch antennas fed through a quarter wave transformer, as shown in Figure
4.4(a). The microstrip antenna dimensions are calculated for an operating
frequency of 4.8 GHz. The antennas are printed over a standard FR-4
substrate, having a thickness (h) of 1.6 mm with a dielectric constant of 4.4
and a loss tangent of 0.0023. The antenna elements are separated by an edge
to edge distance of 7 mm ( ). The total size of the antenna array is 54 x 45

mm2. To analyze the effect of the SMLR, antenna arrays with and without the
decoupling unit, are simulated and then fabricated. The isolation between two
the antenna elements is measured through the computation of the | S21| dB.

4.5 APERTURE COUPLED MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA

ARRAY WITH FREQUENCY SELECTIVE SURFACE (FSS)

In this thesis, another effort is made, to reduce the mutual coupling

between the antenna elements by placing the FSS as a superstrate. Mutual
coupling between array elements affects the radiation pattern and input
impedances. The radiation from one element in the array induces currents on
the other elements nearby, and scatters into the far field. The induced current
derived a voltage at the terminals of the other elements. Figure 4.5 shows the
aperture coupled antenna array with the FSS as a superstrate layer. There
occurs a serious problem of coupling between antenna elements, which may
significantly interfere with neighbouring antenna unit cells, resulting in
reduced antenna gain, operational bandwidth, and radiation efficiency.
Therefore, it is necessary to suggest a suitable method to overcome this
coupling effect, and to improve the diversity gain of the antenna array. When
the FSS is placed as a superstrate layer at an optimum distance from the
radiating patch, it significantly suppresses the surface current distribution,
which is in the form of surface wave propagation. The FSS acts like a
 132

partially reflecting plane, which has the ability to reduce the surface wave
propagation. Near its resonance frequency, where the reflection coefficient of
the surface is unity, the radiating source and the FSS superstrate layer
produces significant improvement in its performance. Mutual coupling
between the antenna array elements is reduced considerably, when the FSS is
incorporated in the antenna array design.

Figure 4.5 Two element aperture coupled microstrip patch antenna

array with FSS

4.6 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.6.1 |S11|(dB) and |S21| dB of the Microstrip Antenna Array with and
without mushroom-like EBG Structures

The simulated and measured results of | S21| dB for a double patch

antenna with and without EBG structures, are shown in Figure 4.6 (a), (b) and
(c). Figure 4.6(a) depicts the simulated and measured | S21| dB of the two
element microstrip antenna array without EBG structures. In simulation the |
S21| dB is -12.4 dB. The measured result of | S21| dB is -22.3 dB. This is due
to the fringing fields coupling with each other, and the surface waves.
 133

Figure 4.6(b) shows the two element microstrip antenna array,

incorporating only single column EBG structures between the patches, and
depicts the simulated result of |S21| dB as -18.6 dB, and the measured result of
|S21| dB as -28dB. This shows that the EBG structures have the ability to
suppress surface waves. To obtain efficient reduction of mutual coupling a
minimum of 3 columns of EBG structures must be placed. However, on the
pessimistic side, this results in an extension of the antenna size, because the
center to center distance between the patches should be 1 .

A double patch design, incorporating feedline EBG along with

single column EBG structures between the patches is shown. Figure 4.6(c)
displays the simulated result of |S21| dB as -26.5 dB and measured result of
|S21| dB as -33 dB. This confirms that the feedline EBG structures have the
ability to suppress the feed radiation loss and spurious radiations on the
feedline, along with the surface waves. Figure 4.7(a) and (b) show the
photograph of the measurement of the fabricated microstrip antenna array
models, using the Vector Network Analyzer.

The above discussed designs are simulated and fabricated, and

compared with the measured results. From this experimental demonstration it
can be concluded, that when EBG structures are placed at the optimal
positions on both sides of the feedline, in addition to the EBG structures at the
center, mutual coupling of 3.5 dB reduction is achieved. The proposed
antenna design has drastically reduced the size by 12 %. Table 4.1 shows the
simulated and measured results of |S21| dB versus frequency (GHz) for the
three different microstrip antenna array designs proposed.
 134

Figure 4.6 (a) |S21| (dB) of two element microstrip antenna array
without mushroom-like EBG structures

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60 Simulated
Measured

-70
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5

Frequency (GHz)

Figure 4.6 (b) |S21|(dB) of two element microstrip antenna array with
single column of mushroom-like EBG structures in between
the patches
 135

Figure 4.6 (c) |S21(dB) of two element microstrip antenna array with
mushroom-like EBG structures as a single column and at
the feedline

(a) (b)

Figure 4.7 (a) Photograph of the fabricated Single column of

mushroom-like EBG structure in between the microstrip
antenna (b) Photograph of the fabricated mushroom-like
EBG structures placed as single column and at the feedline
of microstrip antenna
 136

Table 4.1 Simulated and measured results of |S21|(dB)

EBG at different Simulated |S21| Measured |S21|

Sl.No
placing (dB) (dB)
1. Patches without EBG -12.5 -16
EBG placed in between
2. -18.5 -28
the patches
EBG placed at the
3. -26.5 -33
feedline of the patch

4.6.2 |S11| (dB) and |S21| (dB) of the Microstrip Antenna Array with
and without the Slotted Meander Line Resonator

To verify the band reject effect for isolation enhancement in

microstrip patch antenna arrays, a two element array is constructed, using
microstrip patch antennas fed through a quarter wave transformer. The patch
antenna dimensions are calculated for an operating frequency of 4.8 GHz. The
antennas are etched over a standard FR-4 substrate with a height of 1.6 mm,
having a dielectric constant of 4.4 and a loss tangent of 0.0023. The antenna
elements are separated by an edge to edge distance of 7 mm (0.1 ). The total
size of the antenna array is 54 x 45 mm2. To analyze the effect of the SMLR,
antenna arrays with and without the decoupling unit, are simulated and then
fabricated. The isolation between the two antenna elements is measured
through the computation of |S21|(dB). The simulated and measured reflection
coefficient and transmission co-efficient of the antenna array are depicted in
Figures 4.8 and 4.9. At a resonant frequency of 4.8 GHz, an isolation
improvement of -20 dB is achieved, when the antenna array is integrated with
the slotted meander line resonator. Further, from the simulated and measured
results, it was evident that an improvement of isolation from 6 dB to 20 dB is
realizable within the -10 dB operational bandwidth of the antenna array.
 137

Figure 4.8 |S11|(dB) of the antenna array with and without the slotted
meander line resonator

It is understood clearly that the surface current distribution is

effectively stopped, when the slotted meander line resontor is placed in
between the antenna array elements. Figure 4.10 depicts the photograph of
antenna array with Slotted Meander Line Resonator (SMLR). Table 4.2
shows the performance comparison of various approaches for the reduction in
the mutual coupling between the patches.

Figure 4.9 |S21|(dB) of the antenna array with and without the Slotted
Meander Line Resonator
 138

Figure 4.10 Photograph of antenna array with Slotted Meander Line

Resonator (SMLR)

Table 4.2 Performance of the proposed Slotted Meander Line Resonator

(SMLR) and other configurations in literature

Sl.No Approach Size Frequency in Spacing Improvement

array in GHz between two in |S21|(dB)
2
mm patches
1. Multilayer 130 x 130 3.0 (40 mm) 10
dielectric
substrate +EBG
2. Uniplanar EBG 78.3 x 5.75 (26mm) 10
over superstrate 78.3
3. EBG Not 8.0 (22.5 mm) 5
reported
4. DGS 63.5 x 40 9.2 < (8.6 mm) 16.5

5. Slotted CSRR 78 x 60 5.0 (15 mm) 10

6. Waveguide 76.4 x 91 3.5 (10 mm) 6 dB to 20 dB

meta material
7. Slotted meander 54 x 45 4.8 (0.7 mm) 6 dB to 20 dB
line

4.6.3 |S21|(dB) of the Aperture Coupled Microstrip Antenna Array

with and without FSS

Another attempt made here, is to reduce the mutual coupling

between the aperture coupled antenna elements, with the FSS as a superstrate
 139

layer. How the placing of the EBG structures in between the patches elements
effectively reduces the mutual coupling is also studied. The placement of the
FSS too has an influence in reducing the mutual coupling between the
elements, by preventing the surface current distribution over one another.
Figure 4.11 shows the simulated |S21| dB of the aperture coupled microstrip
antenna array with and without the FSS. The aperture coupled antenna array
is designed to operate at dual band of frequencies 3.12 GHz and 4.8 GHz.
The proposed antenna array is designed using an FR-4 dielectric substrate,
having a dielectric constant of 4.4 and a thickness of 1.6mm. In simulation,
the antenna array without the FSS has a transmission coefficient value of 13
dB at the lower frequency of 3.12 GHz, and 13.6 dB at a higher frequency of
4.8 GHz. In simulation, the antenna array with the FSS has the transmission
coefficient value of 19 dB at lower frequency 3.12 GHz and 19.1 dB at a
higher frequency of 4.8 GHz. By placing the optimum FSS layer, a still better
reduction in mutual coupling between the elements is achieved.

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5

Frequency (GHz)
with FSS
without FSS

Figure 4.11 Simulated |S21|(dB) of the two element aperture coupled

microstrip antenna array with and without FSS
 140

4.7 SUMMARY

The mutual coupling between the microstrip antenna array elements

is investigated for cases with and without mushroom-like EBG structures, the
slotted meander line and the FSS. It has been demonstrated that, when
mushroom-like EBG structures are placed in between the patches, the
suppression of surface waves leads to reduced mutual coupling loss. In the
proposed design, a single column of mushroom-like EBG structure is placed
in between the patches. Significant mutual coupling reduction can be
achieved only when 3 or 4 columns of EBG structures are placed. Therefore,
the distance between the radiating patches must be 1 . This reduces the
directivity of the antenna array configuration. In the proposed design, EBG
structures are placed at the inset feedline, along with the single column of
EBG structures in between the patches, for considerable reduction of mutual
coupling. This concept is validated by the experimental results. Also,
directivity and compactness in antenna array are achieved. The same concept
of a closely packed microstrip patch antenna of two elements is investigated,
for cases with and without the slotted meander line section. The mutual
coupling is considerably reduced, when incorporated with the slotted meander
line section, with an edge to edge patch distance of 0.1 . Therefore,
significant reduction in mutual coupling is achieved with greater directivity.
Also, mutual coupling is demonstrated, using the aperture coupled microstrip
antenna array, with and without the FSS.