Radiation pattern computations for cylindrical-rectangular microstrip antennas

Most of the microstrip antenna analysis found in the literature deals with planar structures. The analysis of the planar structures is based on the assumption that the antenna is backed by an infinite ground plane. Thus, planar microstrip antennas radiate into a half space, which is one of the disadvantages of this structure. For applications in missile telemetry systems, satellite communications and aerospace vehicles, the mounting surfaces are not always planar and the assumption discussed above may not be valid. In these cases the curvature effects must be considered. A commonly used nonplanar structure, the cylindrical-rectangular microstrip antenna, is studied. Following the cavity model method, the radiation patterns of this antenna are obtained. Results for limiting cases are compared to the planar results published by Y.T. Lo and his coworkers.