A low-profile bowtie-slot patch antenna array for X-and Ku-band applications

Abstract In this paper, a low-profile and wideband patch antenna and its 2 × 3 antenna array are proposed to be suitable for X/Ku partial band applications. A bowtie slot is incorporated into the radiating patch to broaden the operating bandwidth. This configuration combines the modes of the rectangular patch with an additional mode from the bowtie structure, exciting a triple-resonant response. Based on the proposed design, a linearly arranged antenna array was fabricated and tested to further enhance the gain for long-distance communication, while array miniaturization was achieved by integrating U-shaped slots into the gaps between the antenna elements. The designed array size is 1.99 λ 0 × 0.83 λ 0 × 0.06 λ 0 (where λ 0 is the free-space wavelength at the center frequency), the measured results indicate a 37.15% impedance bandwidth, spanning a frequency range of 9.6 GHz–13.98 GHz, while the peak gain is improved to the range of 10.47–12.06 dBi.