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Abstract
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A very closely-spaced 2 3 1 microstrip-patch array antenna is proposed for present
and future modern compact array systems. Between the antennas, a novel isolation
structure developed from two parasitic L-shaped strips with only one via for each one
is presented to reduce the mutual coupling more than 53 dB at the resonant frequency
in 10 GHz in comparison with the conventional array without any isolators. Unlike
the other methods, this isolator has a simple and cost-effective structure with a good
performance, low destructive effects on the radiation and resonance position, low
design and fabrication complexity, and simple optimization method which can notably
block the surface and space waves between the antennas. Simplified semi-analytical
expressions and a guided-wave-length-based parametric study are conducted
on key geometrical parameters of the isolator circuit model to determine their
effects on the overall behavior. To validate the technique and present its advantages,
the final design has been fabricated, measured, and compared with the selected
recently proposed suitable works. A good agreement was also achieved in comparison
with the simulated results.
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