Analysis of aperture-coupled multi-layer microstrip antennas

The authors present a generalization to an arbitrary number of dielectric substrates and patches of the full-wave analysis of aperture coupled microstrip antennas developed to evaluate its input impedance. This approach also makes it possible to consider aspects related to manufacturing, such as the effects of the glue used to bond the various substrates and the effects of a possible radome. Using this technique, stacked antennas can be designed and analyzed in terms of input impedance. In order to verify the theory and the relevant computer code a single aperture-coupled patch antenna was realized and tested. Measurements of the input impedance versus frequency show good agreement with the theory.<>