Yangon Technological University

Department of Electronic Engineering

Proposal for PhD Research

2018-2019 Academic Year

Design and Implementation of Wide Band

Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna for
Global Positioning System

Ma Htwe Htwe Thein Myint

PhD. EcE-2

December, 2019
Yangon
 Yangon Technological University
Department of Electronic Engineering
Information of PhD Candidate

Name : Ma Htwe Htwe Thein Myint

Roll No : PhD. EcE-2
Batch : PhD (13)th Batch
Proposed Thesis Topic : Design and Implementation of Wide Band
Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna for
Global Positioning System
Period : 30.12.2019 to 30.11.2021
Proposed Supervisor : Dr. Tint May Nway

Signature

Yangon Technological University

 Department of Electronic Engineering
Design and Implementation of Wide Band Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna for Global
Positioning System
Ma Htwe Htwe Thein Myint
PhD.EcE-2

Summary
The microstrip antennas are very popular in the recent years and these are widely used
in the application of Satellite Navigation, GPS (Global Positioning System), RFID (Radio
Frequency Identification), Wireless Communication, Telecommunication System, missile in
the military area and many other fields,etc. The circularly polarized microstrip antenna
(CPMA) has low weight, low cost and low profile that is very effective in many applications
of the electronic communication system. In the electronic communication system, there is no
device which hasn’t any antenna to communicate each other. Also Wi-Fi, router, hub,
gateway, mobile phone and many other devices in wireless communication system, are
widely used the kind of the microstrip patch antennas. In this research, it is especially
emphasized in the antenna design of global positioning system (GPS). Firstly, it will be tried
to understand how to calculate the design of the intended microstrip antenna. If the antenna
design is convenience for the GPS, it will be simulated and checked the antenna gain, beam
pattern and bandwidth. This research aims to offer the more effective microstrip antenna
design for the GPS system in order to meet the wide area for data transmission, to get the
faster the data rate for GPS, to reduce the error for beam steering system and low power
consuming for the GPS. In fact, high performance, low profile antennas design are very
essential for upgrading the GPS system.

Keywords
Circular Polarization, Wide Band, Microstrip Antenna Design, GPS.

Introduction
The microstrip antennas employ a communication device that a person can carry or
easily move from place to place. Of necessity, these antennas should be low profile that is, of
small physical thickness. Antennas in or protruding from a wireless terminal are needed to
support several wireless personal communication applications, many simultaneously. Some
example applications are cellular telephone communications; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB
communications; RFID (radio frequency identification); position location (such as GPS) and
asset tracking; and body area networks (BAN) [5].

Fig.1 Common Feature of GPS receiver[3]

A GPS receiver must collect and then convert signals from GPS satellites into
measurements of position, velocity, and time. There is a challenge in that the GPS signal has
low power. Most GPS receivers have an antenna built in, but many can accommodate a
separate tripod-mounted or range pole-mounted antenna as well. These separate antennas
with their connecting coaxial cables in standard lengths are usually available from the
receiver manufacturer. The cables are an important detail. The longer the cable, the more of
the GPS signal is lost traveling through it. These connecting coaxial cables are usually at
standard lengths in an effort to make sure that the impedance of the trip through the cable can
be calibrated to the receiver [2].
The wavelengths of the GPS carriers are 19 cm (L1), 24 cm (L2) and 25 cm (L5), and
antennas that are a quarter or half wavelength tend to be the most practical and efficient, so
GPS antenna elements can be as small as 4 or 5 cm. Most of the receiver manufacturers use a
microstrip antenna. These are also known as patch antennas. The microstrip may have a patch
for each frequency. Microstrip antennas are durable, compact, have a simple construction and
a low profile. They can be as small as four or five centimeters, given the fact that the GPS
carrier's wavelengths are right around 20 centimeters. The microstrip can receive one or all of
the GPS carriers.
An antenna ought to have a bandwidth commensurate with its application. In general,
the larger the bandwidth the better the performance, however, there is downside. Increased
bandwidth degrades the signal to noise ratio by including more interference. GPS microstrip
antennas usually operate in a range from about 2 to 20 MHz, which corresponds with the
null-to-null bandwidth of both new and legacy GPS signals [2]. Microstrip or patch antennas
are becoming increasingly useful because they can be printed directly onto a circuit board.
Microstrip antennas are becoming very widespread within the GPS system. Patch antennas
are low cost, have a low profile and are easily fabricated.

Background
Many different GPS receivers are on the market. Some of them are appropriate for surveying,
and they share some fundamental elements. Though no level of accuracy is ever guaranteed,
with proper procedures and data handling they are generally capable of accuracies from sub
meter to centimeters. Most are also capable of performing differential GPS, real-time GPS,
static GPS, etc., and are usually accompanied by processing and network adjustment software
and so on[3].
Basically GPS receivers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have external
batteries, data collectors. Some are tripod mounted. Some are hand-held and have all
components built in, and some can be used in both ways, with externals and without.
Nevertheless, most have similar characteristics. Here is a schematic drawing of a GPS
receiver.  It includes some of the common components. An orbiting GPS satellite broadcasts
its signal across a cone of approximately 28º of arc. From the satellite’s point of view, about
11,000 miles up, that cone covers a substantial portion of the whole planet. It is instructive to
contrast this arrangement with a typical communication satellite that not only has much more
power, but also broadcasts a very directional signal. Its signals are usually collected by a
large dish antenna, but the typical GPS receiver has a small, relatively non-directional
antenna. Stated another way, a GPS satellite spreads a low power signal over a large area
rather than directing a high power signal at a very specific area. Fortunately, antennas used
for GPS receivers do not have to be pointed directly at the signal source. The GPS signal also
intentionally occupies a broader bandwidth than it must to carry its information. This
characteristic is used to prevent jamming and mitigate multipath but, most importantly, the
GPS signal itself would be completely obscured by the variety of electromagnetic noise that
surrounds us if it were not a spread spectrum coded signal. In fact, when a GPS signal
reaches a receiver, its power is actually less than the receiver's natural noise level;
fortunately, the receiver can still extract the signal and achieve unambiguous satellite tracking
using the correlation techniques described earlier. To do this job, the elements of a GPS
receiver function cooperatively and iteratively. That means that the data stream is repeatedly
refined by the several components of the device working together as it makes its way through
the receiver [3].
From the point of view of a GPS satellite, the earth presents a disk that, really, from
11,000 miles up, has a spread of approximately 28 degrees. The GPS signal, not at high
power in the beginning, then spreads over this very large area. It is easy for the GPS signal to
get lost in overhead cover before it reaches the antenna of the GPS receivers. It can also be
disrupted by interference from electromagnetic noise. However, since it is a spread spectrum
signal, it has a certain robustness against jamming [3].

So, even though it's a weak signal, the design of the signal comes to our rescue to
some degree and allows it to be sorted by the receiver from the surrounding noise
interference and obstructions up to a point, of course. GPS is not going to penetrate
substantial cover [3].

Research Problem
Nowadays, the suitable microstrip patch antennas are increased rapidly in demand for
radar system, GPS, GNSS and RFID in telecommunication system. So this research is for
designing the microstrip antenna, we will face the big challenges to consider the design. In
order to get the excellent antenna design, there are many specifications to achieve for the
targeted design. To select the resonant frequency and a dielectric material for the antenna
design, these parameters will be calculated such as width, length and width of the ground
plane. Moreover we will find the achievement of the high gain, beam steering and wide
bandwidth for GPS system. For reducing errors in antenna orientation, polarization
mismatching problem may be one the significant issue to be considered. Moreover, good
impedance matching will increase the power transfer to the antenna and minimize the signal
reflection. To be another research problem, there are the parameters such as impedance
matching, return loss and VSWR are essential to calculate when designing the microstrip
patch antenna for GPS system.

Proposed Method
Consider the microstrip antenna fed by a microstrip transmission line. The patch
antenna, microstrip transmission line and ground plane are made of high conductivity metal
(typically copper). The patch is of length L, width W, and sitting on top of a substrate (some
dielectric circuit board) of thickness h with permittivity.

Design Methodology

Mathematical Analyis
For Rectangular patch antenna
Step 1: Calculation of the Width (W):

W=
c
√ 2
2f r ε r +1
λ=
c
fo

Where, c = 3 x 108 m/s, ɛr = permitivity, fr = Designed Frequency

Step 2: Calculation of Effective dielectric constant (εreff ):

[ ]
−1
ε r +1 ε r −1 h
ε reff = + 1+12 2
2 2 W

Where, h = height of substrate

Step 3: Calculation of the Effective length (Leff ):

c
Leff=
2f r √ ε reff

Step 4: Calculation of the length extension (ΔL):

ΔL=0 . 412 h
( ε reff +0 . 3 )( Wh +0 . 264)
−0. 258 ) ( +0 . 8 )
W
( ε reff h

Step 5: Calculation of actual length of patch (L):

ΔL=Leff −2 ΔL
Step 6: The bandwidth ( ) is calculated as:

( ) ( )( )
ε r −1 W h
BW o o =3 .77 2
×100 o o
εr L λo

Where, λo is the wavelength in free space

Step 7: Ground Dimensions

Lg = 6h + L

Wg = 6h +W

Step 7: The feeding probe point location can be located at the point (Xf, Yf) in the x-y
coordinates

L W
Xf=2 Yf=
√ ε eff 2

For circular patch antenna

F
a=
¿¿
9
8.79× 10
Where F¿
f γ √ε γ

Microstrip patch specification

-A radiating patch
-A dielectric substrate
-A ground plane
-Patch conductor should be copper of gold
-Relative dielectric constant εr of the substrate should be
(2<εr <10)

Antenna specification

Polarization Circular polarization

Physical size As small as possible, no maximum size
Frequency band The IEEE L-band is a portion for the electromagnetic
frequencies in the range from 1.0 to 2.0GHz which is
suitable for global positioning system. GPS has five
bands, the L1 Band: 1575.42 MHz, L2: 1227.60 MHz,
 L3 Band: 1381.05 MHz, L5 Band: 1176.45 MHz all of
which lie in the L-Band. 

Methodology of project

Figure (2) shows a research process flow that is drawn for a development of designing
a microstrip patch antenna for global positioning system. It contains five processes and two
decision making conditions. As shown in the flowchart, it is started by studying the features
and characteristics of antenna and antenna theory thoroughly. Then the best suggestion of
choosing the most suitable type of antenna for GPS system will be achieved from this study
process. When it is deeply understand the antenna layout which is effective for this research
target, calculate the design calculation for the research targeted antenna. After that, antenna
model will be started designing systematically based on the learning knowledge by using a
software tool and then simulating this design. Until the desired antenna design will be
evolved, analyzing the antenna layout again and again. Moreover this antenna will be tested
on a simulator for evaluating its performance whether it is meeting the design specifications
or not. As long as there is any error in simulation results, the design antenna stage will be
checked again and again. When the antenna’s performance is completely satisfied, it can be
fabricated in the next step. The antenna fabrication process can be done by using facilities in
department laboratory room. After fabricating, this antenna design will be tested in an
adaptable environment in order to examine its abilities in working condition and check its
error conditions. Ultimately, if there is no any troubleshooting problem in this design
antenna, the purpose of the research work will be totally perfect.
 Fig.2 Flow chat of the project

Expected Outcomes
The outcomes of the proposed method leads to the low profile, low cost, high
efficiency, high strength of wide range area for data transmission and receiving for GPS. As
the user can know the real-time accurate data for the location, traffic congestion and
searching someone using GPS. In order to minimize the error in antenna orientation, wide
band circular polarized microstrip antenna should be used in GPS system.

Conclusion
Low profile antennas are very useful in the telecommunication system with each other
and the users ,moved from one place to another, are very easy make interface with any
devices to serve information globally. And this antenna has also low power consuming and
low cost for production and it is able to perform the work like the wide range area. We have
tried to make such design that can be used for GPS, remote sensing system, GNSS and also
used in radar system. The goal of this antenna design is to transmit and receive the data from
the other users and the signal strength will be enhanced. The antenna design will also help to
improve the transmission data rate. This antenna is also mounted in mobile devices and other
telecommunication peripherals for transmitting and receiving signals. So it can be expect that
it will help the improvement of the signal strength and low error for the location accuracy of
the GPS system.

References

[1] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog862/print/book/export/html/1782, “The

Antenna and The Right Hand Circular Polarized Signal”, GEOG 862: GPS and GNSS
for Geospatial Professionals, Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Science.
[2] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog862/print/book/export/html/1783, “The
Antenna”, GEOG 862: GPS and GNSS for Geospatial Professionals, Penn State
College of Earth and Mineral Science.
[3] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog862/node/1781, “Common Features of GPS
Receivers”, GEOG 862: GPS and GNSS for Geospatial Professionals, Penn State
College of Earth and Mineral Science.

[4] L.-P. Chi and S.-S. Bor, “A wideband wide-strip dipole antenna for circularly
polarized wave operations”, Feng-Chia University, Progress In Electromagnetics
Research PIER 10, Taiwan, 2010,
[5] Warren L. Stutzman and Gary A., “Antenna Theory and Design”,3rd edition,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New Jersey, 2012.
[6] Constantine A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory Analysis and Design”, 3 rd edition, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2005.
[7] Ajaq Kumar Sharma., Raghvendra Singh and Ashok Mittal, Member, IEEE
“Wide Band Dual Circularly Polarized Aperture Coupled Microstrip Patch Antenna
With Bow Tie Shaped Apertures”, IEEE Publication, 2004.
[8] Naftali Herscovici, Zvonimir Sipus, Member, IEEE, and Davor Bonefaˇcic,
“Circularly Polarized Single-Fed Wide-Band Microstrip Patch”, IEEE
TRANSACTIONS ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION, VOL. 51, NO. 6,
JUNE 2003.
[9] Xiaoye Sun, Zhijun Zhang, Senior Member, IEEE, and Zhenghe Feng, Senior
Member, IEEE, “Dual-Band Circularly Polarized Stacked Annular-Ring Patch
Antenna for GPS Application”, IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS
PROPAGATION LETTERS, VOL. 10, 2011.
[10] Aixin Chen,Member,IEEE, Yanjun Zhang, Zhizhang Chen,Fellow,IEEE, and Chuo
Yang, “Development of a -Band Wideband Circularly Polarized 64-Element
Microstrip Antenna Array With Double Application of the Sequential Rotation
Feeding Technique”, IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION
LETTERS, VOL.10, 2011.

Time Schedule
Dec Feb May Aug Nov Feb May Aug Oct Nov
2019 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021
Proposal
Defense
First
Seminar
Second
Seminar
Third
Seminar
Fourth
Seminar
Fifth
Seminar
Sixth
Seminar
Seventh
Seminar
Pre-
Defense
Defense