Patent attributes
A multiple band electrically small compact planar microstrip antenna at VHF and UHF frequencies is provided that permits both a considerably abbreviated antenna length and significantly high efficiency antenna performance. The multiple band electrically small compact planar microstrip antenna advantageously positions a narrow radiating strip and a group of unequally dimensioned radiating members on a microstrip dielectric substrate that is stacked on a ground plane. The unequally dimensioned, or unlike, radiating members are separated by at least one gap and cause the antenna to resonate at a number of different frequencies instead of a single frequency as the prior art microstrip antenna. The multiple band electrically small compact planar microstrip antenna also innovatively filters unwanted signals at other frequencies because of the narrowband nature of each band. The preferred embodiment is a dual band electrically small compact planar microstrip antenna with two unlike radiating members separated by a single gap. This invention also encompasses methods for providing substantial reduction in antenna size at the VHF and UHF frequencies with multiple band electrically small planar microstrip antennas.
