Design of A Ka Band Microstrip Patch Antenna Integrated with FSS for Military Drone Communication Systems

B. Sivajothi; Dr. D. Mary Sugantharathnam

doi:10.5281/zenodo.16404239

Authors

B. Sivajothi PG Scholar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. D. Mary Sugantharathnam Professor and Head, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16404239

Keywords:

Ka-band, Microstrip Patch Antenna, Military Drone Communication, Rogers RT/duroid 5880

Abstract

This project presents the design and simulation of a compact, high performance microstrip patch antenna operating at 32 GHz within the Ka band, specifically tailored for military drone communication systems. The antenna is constructed using Rogers RT/duroid 5880 substrate, characterized by a low dielectric constant (εr = 2.2) and minimal loss tangent (tan δ = 0.0009), ensuring superior radiation efficiency and reduced signal attenuation at millimeter-wave frequencies. To enhance the antenna's performance, a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) is integrated, serving to improve gain and bandwidth while mitigating electromagnetic interference. The design achieves a peak gain, a return loss better than -17 dB, and a bandwidth exceeding 2 GHz, indicating its efficacy for reliable and secure military drone communications. The antenna's low-profile and lightweight design make it suitable for integration into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), where size and weight constraints are critical. The proposed antenna system holds promise for applications requiring robust, high frequency communication links in compact airborne platforms.