Study and design of heart-shaped microstrip patch antenna for SART applications

In this work, a heart-shaped microstrip patch antenna that operates in the 9.2–9.5 GHz frequency range is presented. It is specifically made for Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) systems in X-band applications. The heart-shaped design, which has small dimensions of 40 × 40 × 1.6 mm, maximizes directionality and signal strength, improving communication dependability in sea rescue operations. The antenna, which is built on a FR-4 substrate, offers an affordable, reliable, and emergency-useful option. Excellent impedance matching and low signal reflection are demonstrated by the antenna's wide bandwidth from 9.18 to 9.63 GHz, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of 1.0152, and S11 (return loss) of -42.2 dB. Strong, concentrated signal transmission is crucial for detecting ships in distress, and this enhanced performance allows effective power transfer with a gain of 2.3 dB. The heart-shaped geometry not only contributes to compactness but also enhances radiation efficiency by focusing energy within the desired band. This research design offers advantages such as smaller dimensions, reliable performance, and a simplified structure compared to conventional dual-band array antennas, making it ideal for critical applications in emergency communication systems.