Miniaturization of rectangular microstrip patches using genetic algorithms

This paper presents a new procedure for the miniaturization of rectangular microstrip patches based on genetic algorithms. The shape of a typical rectangular patch is modified in order to reduce its resonance frequency keeping the physical volume of the antenna constant. As an example, the resonance frequency of a square microstrip patch is reduced from 3 to 1.8 GHz. The patch is divided in 9/spl times/9 square cells. The genetic algorithm optimization procedure is subsequently used to remove some of the metallic cells. To validate the procedure an antenna prototype has been fabricated and tested. Good agreement is obtained between theoretical and experimental results.