Patch-antenna miniaturization using recently available ceramic substrates

Abstract

The recent availability of high-contrast, low-loss ceramic materials provides us with possibilities for significant antenna miniaturization. This paper explores the use of low-temperature co-fired-ceramic (LTCC) substrates in producing a miniaturized patch-antenna design. Of particular interest in the design are parameters such as substrate thickness, input impedance, radiation efficiency, and bandwidth due to the high-contrast ceramic. We propose a thick substrate to increase bandwidth. However, the substrate is truncated to mitigate surface-wave loss, with possible texture to provide dielectric-constant control for improved impedance matching. Utilizing these proposed design modifications, a miniaturization factor of more than eight was achieved, with a return-loss half-power bandwidth greater than 9%. Moreover, respectable gain was maintained, given the achieved miniaturization