TECHNIQUES FOR THE COMPUTATION OF THE MUTUAL COUPLING BETWEEN 2 RECTANGULAR MICROSTRIP ANTENNA ELEMENTS WITH THICK SUBSTRATES

Simple techniques have been developed for evaluating mutual coupling c oefficients between two identical probe-fed rectangular antenna elemen ts with thick substrates. They are based on the volume equivalence the orem and a theoretical model equivalent to a lossy transmission line, and they take into account surface wave contribution, mismatching, eff ective dimensions of the antenna elements, the relative dielectric con stant, and thickness of the substrate. The measured and calculated mut ual coupling coefficients are presented as a function of separations b etween two antenna elements with substrates thicker than those reporte d elsewhere in E- and H-plane coupling configurations for the dominant TM10 mode. These techniques are simple, and are easily included in a CAD system. The calculated results are in good agreement with the meas urements. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.