Four-element printed array antenna with corporate feed network arrangement for N79 5G applications

Abstract This study details the design, modeling, and experimental validation of a high-gain four-element microstrip patch array antenna using a corporate-fed network for sub-6 GHz 5G N79 band applications. The suggested antenna array is constructed on a FR4 substrate, which has a thickness of 1.6 mm, a dielectric constant of 4.4, and a loss tangent of 0.002. The design incorporates a ring-slotted patch layout, a stepped impedance feeding mechanism, and a defective ground structure (DGS) to improve impedance matching and bandwidth. The single-element antenna, measuring 60 mm × 60 mm, attains a bandwidth of 4.4–4.8 GHz, a peak simulated gain of 2.7 dBi, and a radiation efficiency of 98.8%. To improve gain performance, a 1 × 4 linear array is constructed by combining four identical antenna components with an optimized corporate-fed network. The ultimate array arrangement is 180 mm × 130 mm and attains an impedance bandwidth ranging from 4.48 to 4.89 GHz, with a maximum recorded gain of 11.31 dBi. The modeling, simulation, and optimization of the proposed configuration have been carried out by Ansys HFSS is a 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation software. The simulated and measured results demonstrate significant concordance, with slight discrepancies ascribed to manufacturing tolerances, material losses, and connection mismatches. A comparison examination with current sub-6 GHz array antennas demonstrates that the suggested design has enhanced gain, bandwidth, and radiation efficiency, positioning it as a formidable option for next-generation 5G wireless communication systems.