Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering

ISSN: 2180 – 1843 e-ISSN: 2289-8131 Vol. 16 No. 1

jtec.utem.edu.my
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54554/jtec.2024.16.01.002

Design of Rectangular Patch Array 2x4 Microstrip

Antenna on C-Band for Weather Radar
Applications
R. Ruliyanta, R. Nugroho and D. Asyifa
Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitas Nasional, Indonesia
[email protected]

Article Info Abstract

Article history: Weather radars are essential for detecting rainfall, calculating movement, and estimating the object
Received Nov 16th, 2023 type (rain, snow, or hail). For such applications, the C-Band frequency range of 3.7 GHz to 4.2
Revised Feb 22nd, 2024 GHz is typically utilized. A key challenge lies in improving antenna gain for better system
Accepted Mar 17th, 2024 performance. This research aims to design a C-Band downlink microstrip antenna at a working
Published Mar 31st, 2024 frequency of 3.9 GHz. We used a 4 x 2 array to increase the gain. Before designing, we did
calculations using the CST Studio Suite 2019 software. The results of our design are a return loss
Index Terms: of -29,171 dB, a VSWR of 1.061, a bandwidth of 713 MHz, and a gain of 8.23 dB. This research
Microstrip Antenna contributes an improved gain and bandwidth contribution of this study is the better gain and
Weather Radar bandwidth compared to similar studies.
C-Band
Array

and feed line model [11], [12]. The novelty of our research is
I. INTRODUCTION that the gain value is greater than the existing reference
research.
The need for information about weather conditions, both
local and regional, is essential in Indonesia [1]-[4]. Accurate II. BACKGROUND STUDY
weather information for forecasting and mitigating weather,
climate, and disasters are useful for transportation, A. Microstrip Antenna
agriculture, and industry [1], [3]. Indonesia employs several Microstrip antennas are valued for their compact shape
types of weather radars such as Gematronic Radar, Baron and size, making them highly suitable for applications where
Radar, and Vaisala Radar, which operate on the C-Band small size and portability are essential. Their design allows
frequency with specific antenna types, and EEC radar, which for easy integration with a range of electronic circuits (such
can function on both C-Band and X-Band frequencies [1]. as ICs), active circuits, and passive circuits) [7]. The
The performance of radar largely depends on the design of versatility of these antennas makes them ideal for use in
its antenna. Studies have aimed at improving the performance satellite and radar communications, military operations, and
of radar antennas. For example, [5] has introduced a mobile applications [13].
Microstrip antenna with a 16 x 1 array to increase gain, while
[6] [7] proposed a microstrip antenna design for the altimeter. B. Antenna Design
Additionally, several researchers proposed the design of The calculation to determine the rectangular patch
antennas at the C-Band frequency [8], [9]. through Equation 1.
In previous studies, the microstrip antenna design resulted 𝑐
𝑊=
in a gain of 5.6 dB [8] and 3.9 dB [7]. Meanwhile, the Vivaldi 𝜀𝑟 + 1 (1)
2𝑓 √
method resulted in gains ranging between 4.8 and 8.02 dB, 2
where this research emphasizes on bandwidth capacities.
While radar systems do not require need broad bandwidth, as Where:
the data transmitted is relatively small and to avoid W = Patch Weight
interference with other communication [8], [9], [10], c = speed of light (3x108 m/s)
increasing the antenna gain remains an important goal to f = working frequency of the antenna (Hz)
improve the performance of an antenna. Ɛr = Dielectric constant of the substrate.
This research aims to design a radar antenna with superior
gain. We have used a rectangular microstrip with a 2 x 4 array Meanwhile, to determine the length of the rectangular
patch, the parameter l is needed. How does the fringing effect

ISSN: 2180 – 1843 e-ISSN: 2289-8131 Vol. 16 No. 1 7

Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering

contribute to the increase in length beyond l? The increase a parameter that determines how well the antenna is matched
of l (∆l) is expressed through Equation 2. with the transmitter, indicated by the ratio of incident to the
𝑊 reflected waves that form the standing wave.
(𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓 + 0,3) (+ 0,262) Antenna Return Loss shows the power lost due to an
∆𝐿 = 0,412 ℎ ( ℎ ) (2)
𝑊 impedance mismatch between the transmission line and the
(𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓 − 0,258) ( + 0,813) antenna’s input impedance. It is closely related to VSWR as
ℎ
both are affected by the interaction between transmitted and
where h is the height of the substrate and Ɛreff is the effective reflected wave and are critical for determining the match
dielectric constant expressed through Equation 3. between the transmitter and the antenna [14].
A bandwidth or frequency band of an antenna is defined as
𝜀𝑟 + 0,3 𝜀𝑟 − 1 1 the width within which antenna performs effectively. This
𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓 = + (3) performance is related to several characteristics (such as input
2 2 ℎ
√
( 1 + 12 (𝑊 ))
impedance, beamwidth, polarization, gain, efficiency,
VSWR, and return loss) that meet standard specifications
By getting the value of Ɛreff, we can determine the length of [14].
the rectangular patch, which is expressed by Equation 4. Gain is the ratio of the maximum radiation intensity of an
antenna to the radiation intensity of a reference antenna with
the same input power. Gain is an inverse comparison with
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑓 − 2∆𝐿 (4)
beamwidth; if we increase the gain value, the beamwidth
The next step is to determine the distance between elements value will decrease [15].
(d). This calculation is needed so that the neighbouring The radiation pattern is defined as a mathematical function
elements do not overlap with each other. The calculation to or a graphical representation of the spatial coordinate
determine the distance between elements is expressed function of the radiation properties of the antenna. Radiation
through Equation 5. properties can include flux density, radiation intensity, field
𝑐
strength, or polarization. Usually, the most critical property
𝑑= (5) of radiation is the three-dimensional or two-dimensional
2𝑓𝑟
distribution of the radiated energy.
First, we determine the patch and the distance between the
elements, and the next step is to determine the D. Weather Radar
wavelength 0 of the air on the antenna and the wavelength A weather radar is a specialised meteorological tool
on the transmission line, using Equation 6. designed specifically to monitor various atmospheric
𝑐 phenomena. It uses echoes from scanning multiple levels to
𝑑𝜆0 = (6) detect clouds and their movement, rain distribution and
𝑓
intensity, wind and direction speeds, and thunderstorms [1].
Next, the channel wavelength is calculated in advance to
Most weather radars integrate systems operating within the
get the length and the width of the transmission line. The
C-band frequency, and, in some areas, the X-band frequency.
calculation of the channel wavelength (d) is expressed These radars are essential for providing detailed
through Equation 7. meteorological and climatological data, particularly adept at
𝜆0
𝜆𝑑 = (7) detecting precipitation, particularly from water particles in
√𝜀𝑟 clouds.
Due to the high frequency of observations by radar,
The effective dielectric constant (g) is calculated using weather radar data generates quite large amounts of data,
Equation 8, and then the length of the transmission line (LT) which vary depending on the type of radar product. This data
is calculated through Equation 9. is then transferred and backed up to the regional BMKG
𝜆0
station or the central BMKG (Meteorology Climatology and
𝜆𝑔 = (8) Geophysics Council of Indonesia). In instances where data
√𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓
𝜆𝑑
transfer is not immediately processed and data storage area at
𝐿𝑇 = (9) the radar location is completed, new incoming data will
4
overwrite the existing stored data [1].
Furthermore, the width of the transmission line (W) is
determined through Equation 10. III. METHOD
2ℎ
𝑊= {𝐵 − 1 − 𝐿𝑛(2𝐵 − 1) +
𝜋
𝜀𝑟 −1 0,61 (10) In this design, we performed a simulation with CST
[ln(𝐵 − 1) + 0,39 − ]} software. Once the desired parameters were achieved, we
2 𝜀𝑟 𝜀𝑟
manually produce the antennas based on our simulation. The
where, the value of B is expressed by using Equation 11. initial parameters of the design are presented in Table 1.
Table 2 and Figure 1 present the results of our initial
60 𝜀𝑟2 design with the CST Studio Suite 2019 software. This final
B= (11) design result was iteratively developed, starting from
𝑍0 √𝜀𝑟
designing a single antenna without a patch. Since the gain
value achieved with a single rectangular antenna did not
C. Antenna Characteristics meet our target, we expanded the design by increasing the
The Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is the number of arrays 1x2, 2x2, and 2x4. The desired gain was
maximum and minimum standing wave amplitudes ratio. It is successfully achieved with the 2x4 array condition. In this

8 ISSN: 2180 – 1843 e-ISSN: 2289-8131 Vol. 16 No. 1

 Design of Rectangular Patch Array 2x4 Microstrip Antenna on C-Band for Weather Radar Applications

optimization, the try-and-error method is used to reach the 540MHz. The marking position in Figure 2 is the limit
optimal value as expected. It is this 2x4 patch array antenna bandwidth value, which meets the value of -10dB. While
that we recommend for potential implementation in Figure 3 gives the VSWR values of our experimental results,
Indonesian weather radar systems. with the optimal value at 1.09.

Table 1
Antenna Specifications

Paramater Value
Frequency of Work 3,9 GHz
Return Loss <-10 dB
VSWR <2
Bandwidth 500 MHz
Gain >5 dB

Table 2
Rectangular Patch Antenna Dimensions Proposed Design

Parameter Dimension (mm)

Weight Patch (Wp) 20.05
Long Patch (Lp) 9
Distance between element (d) 30 Figure 3. The VSWR simulation results
Weight Substrate (Wsub) 135
Long Substrate (Lsub) 60
Weight ground plane (Wg) 95
The maximum VSWR is 2 dB, the marking in Figure 3
Long ground plane (Lg) 60 indicates the lowest value for VSWR. Figure 4 shows the
Weight Transmission (Wf) 2.8 results from our experiment to obtain the impedance. The
Long Transmission (Lf) 11.5 result is Maximum Impedance at 50.2Ω.
Distance between element (Wfd) 5
Weight Transmission 1 (Wf1) 3
Long Transmission 1 (Lf1) 7
Weight Transmission 2 (Wf2) 4,8
Long Transmission 2 (Lf2) 9
Hight ground dan patch (t) 0.1
high Substrate (h) 1.6
Weight Slot (Wslot) 45.6
Long Slot (Lslot) 17

Wsub = 135

Wp = 20.05 Wp = 20.05
Wf1 = 3

Lp = 9

Lsub = 9

Wf2 = 4.8

Figure 4. Experimental Results for Impedance

Wf1 = 3 Wf = 2.8 Lf1 = 7
Lf2 = 9
Figure 5 shows the antenna gain value at the desired
Figure 1. Design of Antenna patch rectangular
working frequency of 5.827 dB. The results of the gain
parameter values follow the expected specifications (> 5 dB).
We performed several simulations to obtain the optimal
return loss and bandwidth. Figure 2 shows the simulation
results of some methods.

Figure 2. Return Loss and Bandwidth Simulation Results Figure 5. Radiation pattern Simulation Results

The optimum result achieved was a return loss value of -

27.07 dB at a frequency of 3.9 GHz, with a bandwidth of

ISSN: 2180 – 1843 e-ISSN: 2289-8131 Vol. 16 No. 1 9

Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering

Figure 6. shows that the radiation pattern and beamwidth The radiation pattern results can be seen in Figure 10. The
obtained at the 3.9 GHz frequency antenna is bidirectional results of the antenna radiation pattern are bidirectional with
with an HPBW of 73 degrees. a Half Power Bandwidth of 92o azimuth radiation pattern
testing. This value is obtained with an intersection of -3db at
corners 3160 and 480.

Figure 6. Beamwidth simulation Results

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

In this section, we present the results of our antenna design. Figure 9. Antenna VSWR Measurement Results
Figure 7 shows the photo of the designed antenna and the
process of measuring the antenna. Patern Radiation - 3dB
0°
360° 0 10°
350° 20°
340° 30°
330° -5 40°
320° -10 50°
310° 60°
-15
300° 70°
-20
290° 80°
-25
280° 90°
-30
270° 100°

260° 110°
250° 120°
240° 130°
230° 140°
220° 150°
210° 160°
200° 190° 180° 170°

Figure 10. Beamwidth measurement Results

Figure 7. Antenna Measurements in the Chamber Room
Table 3 is the result of our antenna design parameters. The
Figure 8 shows the results of the antenna return loss of - table compares the results of the previous research antenna
29.171 dB and a bandwidth of 713 MHz. Furthermore, designs.
Figure 9 and Figure 10, show the VSWR measurement
results, indicating a maximum antenna VSWR of 1.061 with Table 3
an antenna gain of 8.32 dB. Antenna design results table and antenna parameter comparison

Parameters Simulation Measurements Ref. 1 [8]

Return Loss -27,07 dB -29,1 dB -26.8dB
VSWR 1,092 1,061 1.09
Bandwidth 540 MHz 713 MHz 200 MHz
Impedance 47,63 Ω 47,06 Ω 50 Ω
Gain 5,827 dBi 8,32 dBi 5,6 dB

There is a slight difference between the simulation results

and the actual manufactured antenna. This is because the
simulated gain calculations assume ideal conditions, whereas
the physical manufacturing process can introduce
improvement. In addition, measurements taken in a less-than-
ideal indoor condition can also contribute to variations.
Manual handmade antenna production is susceptible to
errors, particularly in the dimensions of the patch and the
feeder lines, which are unstable and prone to size shifts. The
Figure 8. Antenna Return Loss Measurement Results

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 Design of Rectangular Patch Array 2x4 Microstrip Antenna on C-Band for Weather Radar Applications

condition of the reference antenna used in the measurement Nugroho, “Design analysis of microstrip rectangular patch array
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