<p>The growing demand for compact, high-performance antennas in satellite systems necessitates innovative design strategies for ultra-wideband (UWB) operation. Microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) are widely used for satellite communications on account of their low profile and ease of fabrication, but their inherently narrow bandwidth limits their applicability in UWB systems. This paper details a novel methodology for the design of a compact UWB MPA using a two-stage binary genetic algorithm (BGA). Unlike conventional approaches that rely on fixed slots or predetermined patch modifications, the proposed approach discretizes the radiating patch into an array of binary-encoded cells, enabling the algorithm to retain only those regions that enhance impedance bandwidth while maintaining a compact geometry. Fabricated on an FR4 substrate with dimensions of <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$20\times 30\times 1.6$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>20</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>30</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>1.6</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\text {mm}^{3}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msup> <mtext>mm</mtext> <mn>3</mn> </msup> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, HFSS simulations indicate an ultra-wide operating range of 3.66–15.74 GHz (12.08 GHz bandwidth). Experimental measurements confirm that the antenna effectively covers the C-, X-, and Ku-bands, with measured frequency ranges of 4.49–7.13 GHz, 8.2–10 GHz, and 11.03–15.52 GHz, respectively. These results demonstrate its suitability for satellite communications, as well as UWB wireless applications. The design demonstrates stable radiation patterns and consistent gain across the operating band, underscoring its suitability as a compact, efficient, and reliable antenna for satellite and broadband communication systems. Compared to previously published MPA designs, the proposed antenna achieves ultra-wideband characteristics while maintaining a reduced physical footprint and simplified configuration, resulting in an enhanced balance between miniaturization, bandwidth, and overall performance.</p>

Two-Stage Binary Genetic Algorithm Optimization of an Ultra-Wideband Rectangular Patch Antenna for Satellite Applications

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月27日

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Fatim-Zahra Bennioui,
Asma Khabba,
Karima Ait Bouslam,
Layla Wakrim,
Saida Ibnyaich,
Abdelouhab Zeroual

摘要

The growing demand for compact, high-performance antennas in satellite systems necessitates innovative design strategies for ultra-wideband (UWB) operation. Microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) are widely used for satellite communications on account of their low profile and ease of fabrication, but their inherently narrow bandwidth limits their applicability in UWB systems. This paper details a novel methodology for the design of a compact UWB MPA using a two-stage binary genetic algorithm (BGA). Unlike conventional approaches that rely on fixed slots or predetermined patch modifications, the proposed approach discretizes the radiating patch into an array of binary-encoded cells, enabling the algorithm to retain only those regions that enhance impedance bandwidth while maintaining a compact geometry. Fabricated on an FR4 substrate with dimensions of $20\times 30\times 1.6$ $20 \times 30 \times 1.6$ $\text {mm}^{3}$ ${mm}^{3}$ , HFSS simulations indicate an ultra-wide operating range of 3.66–15.74 GHz (12.08 GHz bandwidth). Experimental measurements confirm that the antenna effectively covers the C-, X-, and Ku-bands, with measured frequency ranges of 4.49–7.13 GHz, 8.2–10 GHz, and 11.03–15.52 GHz, respectively. These results demonstrate its suitability for satellite communications, as well as UWB wireless applications. The design demonstrates stable radiation patterns and consistent gain across the operating band, underscoring its suitability as a compact, efficient, and reliable antenna for satellite and broadband communication systems. Compared to previously published MPA designs, the proposed antenna achieves ultra-wideband characteristics while maintaining a reduced physical footprint and simplified configuration, resulting in an enhanced balance between miniaturization, bandwidth, and overall performance.