Electromagnetic modeling and simulation of a directly-modulated L-band microstrip patch antenna

An electromagnetic simulation model of an L-band microstrip patch antenna with integrated PIN diodes is constructed using Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and is analyzed to explore how the antenna´s input impedance, center frequency and carrier wave radiation pattern are impacted by biasing the PIN diodes with a baseband modulation signal. By exploring the radiation characteristics of this specific example of direct antenna modulation, as applied to a patch antenna structure, the first steps are taken towards a general model of the direct antenna modulation technique.