Shorted microstrip patch antenna with parasitic element

This paper describes a small microstrip antenna that operates at 2.45 GHz which is the frequency band for wireless applications such as WiFi and Bluetooth. Two techniques of enhancing the performance of the conventional patch antenna, which are shorting pins and parasitic element, were studied. The results are obtained through simulation and measurement. Additional slots were included to further enhance the bandwidth of the antenna. Comparisons among conventional patch antenna, shorted patch antenna and shorted patch with parasitic element were conducted in terms of return loss and radiation pattern. From the measurement results, the bandwidth of the modified antenna increased up to 2% compared to the conventional patch antenna. By shorting the patch also reduces its width from 30 mm to 15 mm or 50% reduction. The improvement of gain could be achieved by adding a layer of parasitic element. All simulation was done using CST Microwave Studio 2008