Four-way power combining integrated antenna

In this paper we show an edge-fed 4- port microstripline integrated antenna that has the dual function of power combining as well as being a radiator. The radiation pattern is similar to a two element microstrip half-wave patch array. The edge-feeding allows transistors of an amplifier to be connected directly to the antenna thereby eliminating interconnecting lines. The antenna provides ease of transistor biasing without the need for extra bias circuitry. Experimental results have validated simulations for a prototype operating at 2.47 GHz.