Analysis of a 2 x 2 elements planar array of circular patch microstrip antenna in plasma medium

Abstract

An analysis has been made to create a 2 x 2 element planar array of microstrip circular patch antenna in plasma medium. The far-zone field expressions for electromagnetic and electroacoustic modes have been obtained using linearized hydrodynamic theory and vector wave function technique. These expressions involve an additional term taking into account the effect of plasma on the antenna array and are derived by considering the appropriate geometrical configuration of the array. The total field patterns are computed and plotted for free space and plasma. The other important antenna parameters like radiation conductance, directive gain and radiation efficiency are computed and plotted for different values of plasma-to-source frequency. It is observed that radiation characteristics of a planer array are modified to a great extent in the presence of plasma.