Monopole versus Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna for Short Range Wireless Communication

This paper presents the performance analysis of microstrip patch antenna (MSA) and a quarter wave monopole antenna (MP) intended for short range wireless communication. In this paper, the design of a co-axial feed single layer microstrip patch antenna at 2.4 GHz WLAN application is presented. This antenna design is based on Arlon AD250C substrate of 1.6 mm thickness, with a dielectric constant of epsilon(r) approximate to 2.5. To verify its response characteristics, the antenna is simulated using CST Microwave Studio. The radiation parameters of simulated, fabricated and experimental results are presented. A good match between simulated and measured quantities are obtained. The radiation pattern is directional, making it more suited for short distance point to point wireless communication, rather than a standard monopole (lambda/4) whip antenna, which is commercially available for 2.4 GHz. We have also presented experimental results and tabulated various parameters for both, the patch as well as for MP antenna. We compare and contrast the best antenna suited for short range wireless communication system.