Patch antenna miniaturization using thick truncated textured ceramic substrates

The recent availability of high-contrast, low-loss ceramic materials provides us with possibilities for significant antenna miniaturization. The paper explores the use of low temperature cofired ceramic substrates in producing a miniaturized patch antenna design. Of particular concern in the design are substrate thickness, impedance matching, radiation efficiency and bandwidth due to the high-contrast ceramic. We propose a thick substrate to increase bandwidth. However, the substrate is truncated and/or modified to mitigate surface wave loss. Also, a textured substrate is proposed for dielectric constant control and for improved impedance matching. Gain measurements are given along with the analysis. Further, the effect of the finite ground plane is examined. The paper provides both return loss and overall gain calculations and measurements.