Designed an RF patch antenna and patch array system at an operating frequency of 2GHz with minimal return loss S11 < -20dB within ANSYS HFSS.

1. ELEC 4503 - RF LINES & ANTENNAS - FALL 2018 1
RF Patch Antenna/Array Design
Rashad Alsaffar (101006781)
Abstract—The dimensions of a patch antenna are directly
affiliated with its performance. Operating frequency was assigned
individually to students to aim for minimum S11 return loss (¡
−20dB) for each patch antenna. A feed line supplied a 50Ω
impedance, ensuring maximum power transfer throughout the
device. The design would become amplified with the addition of
two antenna patches to develop an antenna array, increasing
overall gain and performance as opposed to a single patch
antenna. Dimensions of the array were tuned to match the
specifications of the individual patch antenna.
I. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this lab was to learn and understand the
design of a patch antenna within HFSS. An operating
frequency of 2GHz was assigned; the patch antenna must
try to simulate minimum return loss (S11 < −20dB) at the
mentioned operating frequency. To insure this, an online
calculator [1] was used to determine the dimensions of
the patch antenna. Dimensions were tweaked to meet the
specifications of the device. The feed line dimensions was
altered as well, to ensure a 50Ω impedance into the patch
antenna.
The design would be copied and pasted twice within
the patch array schematic; simulations would be ran to test
the performance of the patch array, where it would try to
meet the specifications for the individual patch antenna, i.e.
minimum return loss at operating frequency.
II. PATCH ANTENNA
The patch antenna model was made through HFSS. Its di-
mensions were tweaked to allow for an operating frequency
of 2GHz and minimum S11 return loss.
Fig. 1. Patch Antenna Model w/ Dimensions
The S11 response was derived through HFSS simulations. The
plot below details the recorded S11 response from the patch
antenna simulation:
Fig. 2. Patch Antenna S11 Response (dB)
The co-polarized and cross-polarized gains (dB) were plotted
within each principal cut within the plots below:
Fig. 3. Patch Antenna Co/Cross-Polarized Gain (dB) @ 2GHz in
E-Plane

2. ELEC 4503 - RF LINES & ANTENNAS - FALL 2018 2
Fig. 4. Patch Antenna Co/Cross-Polarized Gain (dB) @ 2GHz in
H-Plane
III. PATCH ARRAY
The patch antenna model was copied within the established
patch array model within HFSS. The design was once again
configured for resonance at 2GHz experiencing a minimum
S11 return loss.
Fig. 5. Patch Array Model
The figure below displays the modified dimensions made to
the power divider attachment for the overall patch array:
Fig. 6. Patch Array Model Dimensions
The S11 response for the patch array is described in the plot
below. A minimal return loss of ≈ −16.5dB was achieved at
resonance frequency of 2.01GHz. The results are compared to
given device parameters across multiple frequencies:
Fig. 7. Patch Array S11 Response (dB) w/ Received S11 Data
The co-polarized and cross-polarized gains (dB) were plotted
within each principal cut within the plots below:
Fig. 8. Patch Array Co/Cross-Polarized Gain (dB) @ 2GHz in E-
Plane

3. ELEC 4503 - RF LINES & ANTENNAS - FALL 2018 3
Fig. 9. Patch Array Co/Cross-Polarized Gain (dB) @ 2GHz in H-
Plane
REFERENCES
[1] S. Gupta, ”Patch Antenna”, Lab 5, 2018