Broad-band cavity-backed and capacitively probe-fed microstrip patch arrays

In this paper, a hybrid full wave method for the analysis of probe-fed infi nite phased arrays of single and stacked microstrip patches, backed by meta llic cavities, is applied to investigate the combined utilization of the ca pacitive probe-feeding technique and the cavity enclosure of microstrip pat ches. The goal is to obtain broad-band microstrip antennas on thick substra tes without the limitations due to the generation of surface waves of the c onventional microstrip antennas on infinite substrates. A design procedure for the capacitive coupling is investigated and theoretical results for the active input impedance and radiation characteristics of different wide-ban d antenna designs are presented.