Analysis and design of multilayer printed antennas: a modular approach

The problem of modular design of multilayer printed arrays is addressed. The use of slot as a means of power transfer between layers makes the use of multilayer feeding networks attractive. Four different transitions are analyzed using the moment method in the spectral domain. A typical equivalent circuit valid for all these transitions is used, and the comparison between the theoretical results and measurements is presented. Finally, the models developed for the individual transitions are used in the design of three multilayer antennas. In most of the cases, encouraging results are obtained in one design iteration