Abstract

Antenna is a vital component in wireless application systems. The microstrip antenna can be used for wireless applications as it has features such as light weight, easily mounted and it is easy to mass produce. Although there are many features that suits well for microstrip antenna to be deployed for wireless applications, there is a very serious limitation where it has a very narrow bandwidth. The typical bandwidth of the microstrip antennas is between 1 - 3%. If this limitation is eliminated, the microstrip antenna can be used to its full potential. An alternative bandwidth enhancement technique is studied and then proposed in order to broaden the bandwidth of the microstrip antenna. The wireless application that is selected to be studied is the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11b standard. In Malaysia, this WLAN band spans from 2.4GHz to 2.48GHz. The bandwidth enhancement technique which is selected is the Identical Dual-Patch Microstrip Antenna with Air-Gap (IDMA). By using this technique, a bandwidth enhancement of about 11% has been achieved. This bandwidth very well covers the required WLAN band with an operating frequency of 2.45GHz.

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