Design and Analysis of a Compact Dual-Band Microstrip Antenna for WLAN Communication and X-Band Radar Applications
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This study investigates a compact dual-band microstrip patch antenna designed to operate in the C- and X-bands, supporting both communication and sensing functionalities within a single radiating structure. The FR-4 substrate used in the design of the proposed antenna has a dielectric constant (εr) of 4.3, a substrate thickness of 1.6 mm, and overall dimensions of 25×25×1.6 mm3. The antenna resonates at 9.7 GHz in the X-band for radar and sensing applications, and 5.4 GHz in the C-Band for WLAN and wireless communications. CST Microwave Studio was used to design and optimize the antenna, with reflection coefficients of -57.7 dB at 5.4 GHz and -46.8 dB at 9.7 GHz, corresponding to VSWR values of 1.002 and 1.009, respectively, indicating excellent impedance matching. The -10 dB bandwidths obtained are 242 MHz and 473 MHz for the C and X-bands respectively. The simulated maximum gains are 2.14 dBi at 5.4 GHz and 2.63 dBi at 9.7 GHz with stable radiation characteristics at both bands. To validate the antenna performance, the lower frequency band (5.4 GHz C-band) has been evaluated in terms of WLAN coverage, while the higher frequency band (9.7 GHz X-band) has been assessed for range resolution. The findings show that C-Band has a maximum coverage of 2282.2 m and a range resolution of 0.32 m in the X-band, confirming the antenna’s suitability for hybrid systems such as UAV networks, smart radar platforms, and integrated communication-sensing applications.
Institution: Military Institute of Science and Technology
Language: English
Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204438407