A dual-band modified-rectangular patch with parasitic antenna for 2.4/5 GHz wireless local area network applications

Abstract

This research presents the design and implementation of a dual-band patch antenna (DBPA) optimized for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. The antenna features a modified rectangular patch with a cut corner and two parasitic rectangular patches, enabling dual-band operation with enhanced gain. The DBPA is fed by a 50-Ohm coplanar waveguide and fabricated on a single-layer copper circuit board using a flame-retardant 4 substrate with a relative permittivity of 4.3 and a thickness of 1.6 mm. A prototype with compact dimensions of 0.040×0.040×0.0009 λ³ was constructed and experimentally evaluated. Measurements reveal a nearly omnidirectional radiation pattern, achieving peak gains of 2.92 dBi at 2.4 GHz and 4.25 dBi at 5 GHz. The antenna demonstrates a wide 10 dB return loss bandwidth of 67.7% (1.7–3.44 GHz) for the lower band and 56% (4.59–8.16 GHz) for the upper band. The strong agreement between simulated and measured results validates the design’s potential for practical and scalable implementation. This DBPA design offers a simpler, more compact, and wider-bandwidth alternative to conventional antennas, making it ideal for modern WLAN systems.