Design of a multi-band low-profile antenna

Abstract

This final year project report illustrates the process of designing a multi-band low profile antenna that can operate over the frequency range from 400 MHz to 6 GHz for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications using the ANSYS HFSS software. Antenna parameters as well as various design factors such as the type of substrate materials used, the feeding scheme and the dimensions of the antenna were studied. Upon designing and running the simulations, the results obtained were also discussed and analyzed.

The proposed antenna consists of two components: a double-ridged horn antenna that operates from 2 GHz to 6 GHz and a dual-band microstrip patch antenna that operates from 432 MHz to 440 MHz and from 937 MHz to 957 MHz. The antenna designed could be used for all the radio frequencies allowed for UAV applications (e.g. 433 to 435 MHz, 2.4 to 2.5 GHz and 5.7 to 5.9 GHz) according to the approved spectrum allocation by Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore.

However, the antenna designed was not entirely successful in accomplishing the frequency band that aims to range from 890 MHz to 960 MHz. The frequency range achieved in this project was only able to perform the downlink communication of GSM900. (935 to 960 MHz)