Microstrip Patch Antenna Array with Cosecant-Squared Radiation Pattern Profile

In this paper, the radiation pattern on either side of the main beam, which is created by a standard microstrip patch antenna, is configured to correspond to a cosecant-squared curve. The 8 × 2 antenna array comprises eight pairs of radiating elements that are arranged in a symmetrical structure and excited through a single common feedline. Interaction of the fields generated by each pair of elements contributes towards the overall radiation characteristics. The proposed array is shown to exhibit an impedance bandwidth of 1.93 GHz from 9.97 to 11.90 GHz for S11⩽-10 dB with a peak gain of 14.95 dBi. The antenna’s radiation pattern follows a cosecant-squared curve over an angular range of ±60.91°. The compact antenna array has dimensions of 106 × 34 × 0.813 mm3. These characteristics qualify the antenna for radar applications at the X-band frequency.