Comparison of polypropylene and FR4 dielectric cavity for RLSA antenna design at 5.8GHz

The Radial Line Slot Array (RLSA) Antenna is very pleasing due to low profile appearance and high gain characteristic. Recent research on RLSA is to produce a light weight, durable and easy fabrication process. Thus, FR4 is an alternative substrate to replace the polypropylene. This paper presents a comparison of polypropylene and FR4 dielectric substrate for linear polarized Radial Line Slot Array (RLSA) antenna at 5.8 GHz frequency. Both antennas implemented the same radiating slot design in an antenna with diameter of 200mm. The results show an improvement of radiation pattern using FR4 dielectric substrate as compare to polypropylene dielectric base. However, the reflection coefficient for polypropylene substrate show specific resonant at 5.8GHz frequency while FR4 substrate introduce multiple resonant. This paper also suggested FR4 board can be a potential substrate and major component for RLSA antenna development in future.