A Novel Design of Pencil Beam Antenna for Beamforming at X-Band

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Abstract

The project introduces a prototype of a microstrip patch array antenna characterized by high gain, a narrow beam, cost-effectiveness, lightweight construction, and a low profile, allowing precise adjustments to its radiation patterns. The narrow beam design offers a significantly reduced coverage area compared to omnidirectional antennas, thereby mitigating interference risks associated with signal radiation into nearby sites. The project's primary objective is to engineer an X-band antenna for beamforming applications while incorporating an analog beamforming system. The overarching goal is to establish an effective and reliable system, enhancing security and safety measures. The 4 x 4 patch antenna array has been designed based on a rectangular patch antenna and simulated using HFSS. It is found to have a maximum gain of 11.1 dB at approximately 10 GHz, with notable parameters such as VSWR and return loss measuring at 1.01 and -51.36 dB, respectively.

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Keywords

X-band antenna; RADAR; drone detection; pencil beam antenna; Patch antenna array; Beamforming; X-band Radar; Return loss; VSWR