Radiation characteristics of two-element array of circular patch microstrip antenna in a warm plasma

Abstract

The radiation properties of a two-elements array of circular patch microstrip antenna in an ionized medium are studied. Expressions for the far zone EM-mode and P-mode radiation fields using hydrodynamic equations and potential function techniques are derived. The results are computed for the ionized media as well as for free space and compared with those of single-element circular patch microstrip antenna. It is observed that EM-mode field patterns are modified to a great extent, whereas the P-mode field patterns show discrete raylike structure similar to those of other antennas. Antenna parameters like radiation conductivity, radiation efficiency, directivity and quality factor are also computer for different ratios of plasma to source frequency.