Multimode Rectangular Microstrip Antenna for GPS Applications
Moise N. Solomon
The MITRE Corporation
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the experimental development of a
single element, multi-mode rectangular microstrip antenna
capable of forming a spatial null. Using fundamental and
higher order modes within a single microstrip patch
radiator, a relatively simple, low-cost adaptive, antenna
capable of forming a null in the vicinity of the horizon is
demonstrated. Numerical and experimental results are
presented.
INTRODUCTION
Hand-held GPS receivers have revolutionized navigation
for the dismounted soldier. However, current military
hand-held receivers are vulnerable to jamming (both
intentional and unintentional). For hand-held
applications, the GPS receiving antenna pattern is
necessarily hemispherical, further increasing its
vulnerability to jamming. Adaptive antennas and
associated receive electronics do exist although they rely on
antenna arrays which are physically large for practical
hand-held use. Small arrays of two elements can be used
to steer a single null in azimuth and elevation by
combining their received signals with suitable amplitude
and phase weighting.
MINIATURE MULTIMODE ADAPTIVE ANTENNA
The feasibility of using fundamental and higher order
modes within one microstrip patch radiator was
investigated to create a compact antenna element capable
of forming a null. The result is a relatively simple, low-
cost multimode rectangular microstrip antenna.
In this antenna, the fundamental TMOIO and the TMOOI
modes are phase shifted by 90 degrees to form a typical
right hand circularly polarized boresight antenna pattern
for receiving GPS signals. The higher order TMoz0and
the TMmz modes are also created simultaneously in the
same element to generate a monopole antenna type pattern
with a null at boresight. The higher order modes are below
cut-off because of the dimensions of the rectangular patch,
but can be weakly excited by matching the large, higher-
order mode impedance at the center of the patch. By
properly weighting the amplitude and phase between the
fundamental and higher order modes, a null can be formed
in the desired direction in the vicinity of the horizon where
the jamming threat is greatest. A miniature adaptive
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nulling antenna of this type, when integrated with a low-
cost receiver, can be ulsed for portable GPS applications.
Figures l(a) and l(b) show the antenna designed and
fabricated to validate this concept. The antenna uses an air
dielectric and has provisions for five probes used for
different excitations, one pair for each fundamental mode
excitation (along the t w o principal axes), and one in the
center of the patch to excite the higher order mode. The
center port was impedance matched using a coaxial
double-stub tuner.
The fabricated phenomenology model antenna was
designed to operate at the L1 (1575 MHz) GPS frequency
band. Unmatched, the. fundamental mode excitation ports
had a return loss of better than 10 dB. The unmatched
higher-order mode excitation port has a very high input
impedance (return loss of less than 1 dB). Using the
double-stub tuner to match the port, a return loss of better
than 10 dB was measured. Isolation between the ports
exciting the fundamental modes and the matched higher
order modes was measured to be greater than 20 dB.
Figure 2(a) is an example of a measured antenna pattern
taken in a near field antenna range. During this
experiment, the antenna was excited in a linear
polarization. The figure shows an elevation cut where
0 degrees (zenith) is niormal to the element while the
horizon is located at 90 and 270 degrees. The dashed line
shows the quiescent antenna pattern while the solid curve
shows the formation of a spatial null of greater than 20 dB
at the horizon. This prototype antenna is capable of
steering a null in eleva.tion by amplitude weighting of the
two antenna modes and in azimuth by proper phase
weighting of the modes.
Figure l(a). Photogralph of multimode air-dielectric
phenomenology modell.
Figure l(b). Close-up of microstrip element showing
location of five feed points.

Figure 2(b). Comparison of calculated and measured

linear polarized antenna pattern.

the results presented are applicable to a right hand

circularly polarized (RCP) antenna, Figure 3 is a rear
projection of the simulated RCP antenna gain pattern and
combination of the higher order mode pattern. The
simulated null depth is greater than 40 dB. This result is
not surprising since the RCP axial ratio of a typical
rectangular patch element is poor near the horizon, i.e., the
received signal primarily vertically polarized - similar to
the vertically polarized measurements presented. RCP
gain pattern measurements are planned in the near future.

Figure 2(a). Measured patterns of multimode adaptive

antenna element.

Impedance and antenna pattern simulations were

performed on this antenna using Microstripes [11
(transmission line matrix (TLM) method three dimensional
electromagnetic simulator). Figure 2(b) is a comparison of
calculated and measured linear polarized antenna gain.
Note the good agreement above the ground plane;
simulations assumed an infinite ground plane which
explains the differences in the side lobe at low elevation
angles. To verify that

Figure 3. Rear projection of simulated RCP pattern and

higher order pattern demonstrating null capability.

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 SUMMARY

A single multi-mode antenna element capable of forming a

spatial null was presented. The antenna concept has
similar performance to two elements separated spatially,
except the space required is only of one element. The
measured and simulated linear polarization gain patterns
were compared with favorable agreement. Right hand
circular polarization simulations also demonstrate the
spatial null and future right hand circular polarized
measurements are planned.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author would like to thank David Jones, Robert Davis,

and Eddie Rosario for performing the antenna pattern
measurements, and Jim Wilkins for fabricating the
antenna. This work was supported by The MITRE
Corporation.

REFERENCES

[ 11 KCC Microstripes TLM Electromagnetic Simulator;

distributed by Sonnet Software, Liverpool, NY.

[2] C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design,

New York, NY:John Wiley & Sons, 1997.

[3] R. A. Sainati, CAD of Microstrip Antennas for

Wireless Applications, Norwood, MA: Artech House,
1996.

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