Prediction of highly directive probe-fed microstrip antenna at terahertz frequency

In this paper, a probe-fed rectangular microstrip patch antenna with metallic frequency selective surface as superstrate has been analyzed and simulated at terahertz frequency. In addition to this, a novel technique has been proposed to predict the directivity of the antenna at submillimeter and terahertz waves where far-field measurement is a challenging task. Moreover, the effect of the size of the frequency selective surface array and the ground plane on the directivity of the antenna has been discussed. The concept of using two lateral sidewalls to improve the electrical performance of the antenna is also presented. The theoretical analysis has been supported by two different commercially available 3D electromagnetic simulators: (i) CST microwave studio (CST, Framingham, MA, USA) based on the finite integral technique; and (ii) Ansoft hfss (Ansoft Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) based on the finite element technique. Analytical and simulated results are comparable with each other. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.