Design and Optimization of High-gain Series and Parallel-fed Array Antennas for Enhanced Gain and Front-to-back Ratio in X-Band Applications.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the design of a high-performance meta-material loaded square patch antenna arrays specifically tailored for X-band applications. To enhance the gain and front to back ratio (FTBR), a novel 1x3 series-fed linear array configuration that integrates solitary series-fed elements with metamaterial-based square patches at X-band frequencies is introduced. Later, parallel-fed 1x2 and 1x4 antenna arrays are designed by considering the series-fed antenna array as a single element for further enhancement of gain and FTBR. The single element 1x3 series fed array is fabricated with dimensions of λx3.5λx0.028λ, whereas the respective 1x2 and 1x4 parallel fed antenna arrays has the dimensions of 2.86λx3.8λx0.028λ and 2.86λx4.3λx0.028λ, respectively. The Taconic substrate is chosen as the dielectric material, exhibiting a dielectric constant of 2.2 and a loss tangent of 0.0025. The empirical data presented substantiates the superior performance of the 1x4 parallel fed configuration. This is evident through the remarkable reflection coefficient of -25dB, the wide bandwidth spanning 47MHz, the substantial gain of 17.8dBi, and the FTBR of 30.7. The metrics serve to highlight the array's capacity in guaranteeing a superior level of signal fidelity, encompassing a wide frequency spectrum, amplifying incoming signals, and directing transmissions towards specific orientations. These metrics unequivocally validate its potential for advanced X-band applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]