Minkowski Island and Crossbar Fractal Microstrip Antennas for Broadband Applications

Abstract

The paper presents microstrip patch antennas, which are based on the fractal antenna concept, and use planar periodic geometries, providing improved characteristics. The properties of the fractal structure were used in a single-fractal layer design as well as in a design, which employs fractals on both the upper and bottom layers of the antenna. The final structure, i.e., a double-fractal layer antenna has been optimized to enhance bandwidth and gain of the microstrip antenna. The proposed geometry significantly improved antenna performance. The antenna could support an ultra-wide bandwidth ranging from 4.1 to 19.4 GHz, demonstrating higher gain with an average value of 6 dBi over the frequency range, and a radiation capability directed in the horizontal plane of the antenna.