International Journal of Electronics, Communication

& Instrumentation Engineering Research and

Development (IJECIERD)
ISSN(P): 2249-684X; ISSN(E): 2249-7951
Vol. 4, Issue 5, Oct 2014, 29-36
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF PLUS SHAPE SLOTTED FRACTAL ANTENNA FOR

DUAL BAND APPLICATIONS
B. RAMA RAO1, L. RAMBABU2 & P. V. SRIDEVI3
1

Associate Professor, Department of ECE, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management Tekkali,
Andhra Pradesh, India

Asstistant Professor, Department of ECE, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management Tekkali,
Andhra Pradesh, India

Professor, Department of ECE, A. U. College of Engineering, Visakhapatinam, Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT
This paper deals with design of a novel compact plus fractal microstrip patch antenna is to perform the multiband
performance. The Ansoft HFSS simulation software has been used to analyze the performances of the designed antennas
such as return loss, radiation patterns, VSWR, Resonant frequency and gain. The antenna has been fabricated on FR-4
substrate with dielectric constant ( r ) 4.4 and thickness of (h) 1.6mm. The proposed antennas are resonating at multiple
frequencies with improved return loss, bandwidth and gain. The resonant frequency of the antenna is achieved at
0.942GHz and 2.98GHz after second iteration and 0.90 GHz and 3.13 GHz for third iterations respectively. The antenna
gives enhanced bandwidth by increasing the iterations up to 32%. The proposed antenna results are measured with Vector
Network Analyzer.

KEYWORDS: Plus Shape Fractal, Multiband Behaviour, Ansoft HFSS, Wireless Applications
INTRODUCTION
The term fractal was coined by the French mathematician B.B. Mandelbrot [1] during 1970s after his pioneering
research on several naturally occurring irregular and fragmented geometries not contained within the realms of
conventional Euclidian geometry. The term has its roots in the Latin word fractus which is related to the verb frangere
(meaning: to break) by H.O. Peitgen [2]. These geometries were generally discarded as formless till Mandelbrots
observation on certain special features that can be associated with them.
Fractal geometries are used to model complex objects found in nature such as clouds and coastlines [3].
Each fractal is composed of multiple iterations of a single elementary shape. The application of fractals to the field of
antenna theory was reported first time by Kim and Jaggard. They introduced a methodology for designing low side arrays
that is based on the theory of random fractals [4]. The self-scaling arrays can produce fractal radiation pattern was first
established in 1992, this is accomplished by studying the properties of special type of non-uniform linear array, called a
Weiertrass array, which has self-scaling element spacing and current distributions [5]. The other technique that has been
widely accepted today is electromagnetic band gap structure. This structures exhibit band-gap feature in suppression of
surface wave propagations. This feature applied in field of antenna helps to improve performance of antenna, by way of
increasing the gain of antenna [6]. In this paper an attempt is made to design and analyze plus shape slotted antenna based
on fractal concepts for multiband behaviour. A plus shape patch is taken as a base shape and other three iterations of plus
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B. Rama Rao, L. Rambabu & P. V. Sridevi

shape patches of the order of 1/3 of base shape are placed touching the base shape. Similarly second iterations are taken by
further placing plus shaped patches at even reduced scales. It is found that as the iteration number and iteration factor
increases, the resonance frequencies become lower than those of the zero iteration, which represents a conventional plus
shape patch.

GEOMETRY OF PLUS FRACTAL ANTENNA

A plus shape patch is taken as a base shape. The first iteration is obtained as four other plus shape patches of the
order of 1/3 of base shape are placed touching the base shape. Similarly second iteration is taken by further placing plus
shaped patches at even reduced scales. It is found that as the iteration number and iteration factor increases, the resonance
frequencies become lower than those of the zero iteration, which represents a conventional plus shape patch.
Three iterations of plus fractal antenna shapes have been designed and simulated by Ansoft HFSS. The figure 1 shows the
HFSS design model of base antenna of plus fractal and 1st Iteration fractal antenna.

Figure 1: HFSS Design of Plus Fractal Antenna a) 1st Iteration b) 2nd Iteration
The figure 3 shows the HFSS design model of 2nd Iteration fractal antenna and the 3rd iteration fractal antenna.

Figure 2: HFSS Model for 2nd Iteration and 3rd Iteration of Plus Shape Fractal Antenna
The first iteration patch is designed with four plus shapes of order (1/3) of the base placed touching the base shape
as shown in Figure 2 and same procedure is repeated for second iteration. The dimension of first iteration can be calculated
[10] as

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.9467

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Design and Analysis of Plus Shape Slotted Fractal Antenna for Dual Band Applications

31

e = (1/3) a & g = (1/3) c also f = (1/3) b & h = (1/3) d

(1)

i = (1/ 3) e & k = (1/3) g also j = (1/3) f & L = (1/3) h

(2)

So with optimized design, the dimensions for the plus shape antenna is obtained as, a = 45.3 mm, b = 15.1 mm,
c = 35.4 mm, d = 11.8 mm. The dimensions of the patch is given by
Length of the slot, Ls = 21.675 mm and width of the slot, Ws = 2 mm. The Optimized dimensions of microstrip
line is obtained as m = 0.5 mm, n = 18.55 mm, o = 3.05 mm, p = 18.4 mm. The suitable feed location is obtained through
optimization process by using the HFSS software.

HARDWARE DESIGN
Dielectric Substrate
Different type of dielectric materials may be used for the design, but the substrate FR4 epoxy with dielectric
constant r=4.4 is used in this work. The thickness of the dielectric substrate is 1.6 mm.
Ground Plane
A ground plane of size of 85 mm X 55 mm was printed on the other side of the substrate from the fractal pattern,
as it is required in microstrip patch design. In General larger ground planes allow better radiation performance, but a
trade-off must be made against the final size of the antenna allowed.
Feed System
Several feeding techniques are there to feed a signal to the microstrip patch. A conventional microstrip feeding
technique is used on dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate consists of centre strip conductor with semi infinite
ground planes on both side.
Connectors
To connect the antenna to transmission line for testing, a BNC cable testing using an E5071C Network analyzer
concluded that BNC connectors do not have very good frequency response in the GHz range. Thus a 50 SMA connector
was chosen as an alternative .SMA connectors are excellence frequency response up to 18GHz
Software Simulation
Ansoft HFSS is a high performance full wave electromagnetic (EM) field simulator for arbitrary 3D volumetric
passive device modelling that takes advantage of the familiar. Microsoft Windows graphical user interface. It integrates
simulation, visualization, solid modelling, and automation in an easy to learn environment where solutions to 3D EM
problems are quick and accurately obtained. Ansoft HFSS employs the Finite Element Method (FEM), adaptive meshing,
and brilliant graphics to give you unparalleled performance and insight to all 3D EM problems. Ansoft HFSS can be used
to calculate parameters such as S-Parameters, resonant frequency, and fields. The name HFSS stands for High Frequency
Structure Simulator. Ansoft pioneered the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM) for EM simulation by
developing / implementing technologies.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The proposed design has been simulated using Ansoft HFSS simulation package [6]. The resonant frequencies for

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32

B. Rama Rao, L. Rambabu & P. V. Sridevi

which minimum return loss occurs for various bands, return loss and VSWR for base shape, first, second and third iteration
are given in Table 1.
Simulation Results
In order to validate the equations for various antenna designs, the different iterations of plus shape antenna has
been designed and simulated by Ansoft HFSS. The return loss characteristics of the base shape plus antenna is shown in
figure 3. The antenna resonating at two bands of frequency 2.1GHz and 2.3 GHz with return loss of -24.06dB and -16.93
dB respectively. The figure 4 shows the return loss curve for the first iteration of the plus shape antenna, which resonates
at two bands of frequency 1.92GHz and 2.14GHz with return loss of -14.28dB and -23.86dB.
XY Plot 1

HFSSDesign1

ANSOFT

d B ( S t(R e c ta n g l e 1 _ T 1 ,R e c ta n g l e 1 _ T 1 ))

0.00

-5.00
Name

-10.00

m1

2.1774 -24.0673

m2

2.3930 -16.9391
Curve Info
dB(St(Rectangle1_T1,Rectangle1_T1))
Setup1 : Sw eep

-15.00

m2

-20.00

m1

-25.00
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Figure 3: Return Loss Curve for Base Antenna by Ansoft HFSS

XY Plot 24

HFSSDesign1

0.00

ANSOFT

Curve Info

d B (S t( R e c ta n g l e 1 _ T 1 ,R e c ta n g le 1 _ T 1 ))

dB(St(Rectangle1_T1,Rectangle1_T1))
Setup1 : Sw eep

-5.00

-10.00

Name

-15.00

m1

m1

1.1975 -14.2871

m2

2.4126 -23.8693

-20.00
m2

-25.00
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Figure 4: Return Loss Curve for the First Iteration Plus Fractal Antenna by Ansoft HFSS
From the figure 5, it is observed that the resonant frequency of 2nd iteration plus shape antenna is at 0.94GHz and
2.98GHz with return loss of -13.3dB and -19.23dB. Figure 6 shows that the return loss curve for the 3rd iteration plus shape
antenna, from this figure it is noticed that the antenna has resonate at 0.93GHz and 3.13 GHz with return loss of
-13.7dB and -11.46dB.
XY Plot 55

HFSSDesign1

0.00

-2.50
d B ( S t( R e c ta n g l e 1 _ T 1 ,R e c ta n g l e 1 _ T 1 ) )

ANSOFT

Curve Info
dB(St(Rectangle1_T1,Rectangle1_T1))
Setup1 : Sw eep

-5.00

Name

-7.50

m1

0.9427 -13.3468

m2

2.9809 -19.2038

-10.00

m1

-12.50

-15.00

-17.50
m2

-20.00
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Figure 5: Return Loss Curve for the Second Iteration Plus Fractal Antenna

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.9467

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

33

Design and Analysis of Plus Shape Slotted Fractal Antenna for Dual Band Applications

Name

XY Plot 95

HFSSDesign1

m10.00 0.9035 -13.7264

m2

ANSOFT

Curve Info

3.1377 -11.4681

dB(St(Rectangle14_T1,Rectangle14_T1))
Setup1 : Sw eep

d B ( S t( R e c ta n g l e 1 4 _ T 1 ,R e c ta n g l e 1 4 _ T 1 ) )

-2.00

-4.00

-6.00

-8.00

-10.00
m2

-12.00
m1

-14.00
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00
Freq [GHz]

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Figure 6: Return Loss Curve for the Third Iteration Plus Fractal Antenna
Practical Results
The plus shaped fractal antenna is designed and fabricated with FR-4 substrate with dielectric constant ( r of 4.4 and
tested with vector network Analyzer. Figure 7 shows the photograph of second iteration Sierpinski carpet and plus shape
fractal antennas and the experimental set-up for measuring the parameters like resonant frequency, return los and VSWR of
the fabricated antennas.

Figure 7: a) Photograph of Fabricated Antenna and Experimental Setup for Measuring the
Parameters of Hilbert Curve Fractal Antenna
The return loss curve for the second iteration plus shape antenna measured by vector network analyzer is shown in
the figure 8, form this it is observed that the antenna is resonating at 3 bands i.e. 1.00GHz, 2.94GHz and 3.12 GHz with return
loss of -11.40dB, -18.39 dB and -14.92dB respectively. From the figure 9 the VSWR of the antenna is obtained at
1.79, 1.28 and 1.48.

Figure 8: Return Loss Curve for Second Iteration Plus Shape Fractal
Antenna with Vector Network Analyzer

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34

B. Rama Rao, L. Rambabu & P. V. Sridevi

Figure 9: VSWR Curve for Second Iteration Plus Shape Fractal Antenna
The return loss curve for third iteration plus fractal antenna is shown in figure 10 and it is observed that the
antenna is resonating at 3 bands of frequency i.e. 940 GHz, 3.42 GHz and 3.99 GHz with return loss of -14.42dB,
-14.08dB and -12.67 dB.

Figure 10: Return Loss Curve for 3rd Iteration Plus Shape Antenna Using
Vector Network Analyzer

Figure 11: VSWR Curve for 3rd Iteration Plus Shape Antenna Using
Vector Network Analyzer
Table 1: Resulting Antenna Parameters Corresponding to Different Iterations of the
Plus Shape Fractal Antenna
Geometry

Parameter
Resonant Frequency

Base Shape

Return loss
VSWR
Resonant Frequency

First Iteration

Return loss
VSWR

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.9467

Simulated
2.1GHz
2.3GHz
-24.8 dB
-16.99dB
1.57
1.98
1.97 GHz
2.4GHz
-14.28dB
-23.86dB
1.44
1.76

Measured
-------

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

35

Design and Analysis of Plus Shape Slotted Fractal Antenna for Dual Band Applications

Second Iteration

Third Iteration

Table 1: Contd.,
0.942GHz
Resonant Frequency
2.98GHz
-13.3dB
Return loss
-11.46dB
1.62
VSWR
1.22
0.90GHz
Resonant Frequency
3.13GHz
-13.72dB
Return loss
-11.46dB
2.11
VSWR
1.21

1.07 GHz
2.90 GHz
-11.40 dB
-18.3 dB
1.79
1.28
0.94GHz
3.4GHz
-14.42dB
-14.08dB
2.64
1.52

CONCLUSIONS
The plus shape antenna has got multiband performance in C-band range (2-5GHz) with good VSWR and return
loss. The multiband behaviour of the antenna, together with the shape of patterns suggest a possible application of this
antenna to land vehicles linked to ground base station that might be require for the operation of several communication
systems in a single antenna. The proposed antennas are useful for mobile communication systems, WLAN and WiMAX
applications.

REFERENCES
1.

B. B. Madelbrot, The Fractal Geometry of Nature, New York: W.H. Freeman, 1983.

2.

H. O. Peitgen, H. Jurgens, and D. Saupe, Chaos and Fractals: New Frontiers of Science, New York:
Springer-Verlag, 1992.

3.

Zhengwei Du. Ke Gong, J S. Fu and Baoxin Gao Analysis of microstrip fractal patch antenna for multi-band
Communication Electronics Letters june2001, Vol.37, No.13.

4.

Fawwaz J. Jibrael and Mahir H. Hammed A new

multiband Patch microstrip plusses fractal antenna for

wireless Applications ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied sciences Vol.5, No. 8, August 2010, pp.17-21.
5.

Y. Kim and D. L. Jaggard, The Fractal Random Array, Proceedings of the IEEE, 74, 9, 1986, pp.1278-1280.

6.

Wael Shalan and Kuldip Pahwa Multi-band Microstrip Rectangular Fractal Antenna for wireless Applications
International journal of Electronics Engineering, 3(1), 2011, pp. 103-106.

7.

Jagadeesha S, Vani. R. M and P.V. Hunagund A Self-Similar Plus shape Fractal antenna with Hexagonal slotted
EBG Structure, International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology (IJIET), Vol. 2
Issue 1 February 2013.

8.

P. Maagt, R. Gonzalo, and M. Sorolla, Enhanced patch antenna performance by suppressing surface wave using
PBG substrate IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech, vol.47, pp.2131-2138, Nov.1999.

9.

D.H. Werner and S. Ganguly, An overview of fractal antenna engineering research. IEEE antennas and
Propagation society, Volume 45, No. 1, Pages 38-57, Feb 2003.

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B. Rama Rao, L. Rambabu & P. V. Sridevi

10. N. Cohen, Fractal antenna application in wireless telecommunication. Proceedings of Electronics Industries
Forum of New England, 1997, pp. 43-49.
11. Deschamps, G. A, Microstrip Microwave antenna. 3rd USAF Symposium on antennas 1953.
12. Steven R Best, The significance of self-similar fractal geometry in determining the multiband behavior of the
Sierpinski gasket antenna. IEEE antennas and wireless propagation magazine. vol.1, No. 1, Jan 2002, pp22-25.
13. John P. Gianvittorio and Yahaya Rahamat-Samii, Fractal antennas: A novel antenna miniaturization technique,
and application. IEEE antennas and propagation magazine, vol. 4, No1, Feb.2002, pp 20-36.
14. Jagadeesha S, Vani. R. M, P. V. Hunagund, A Self-Similar Plus shape Fractal antenna with Hexagonal slotted
EBG Structure International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology (IJIET), Vol.2
Issue 1 February 2013.

AUTHOR'S DETAILS

B. Rama Rao completed his B.E. and Master of Technology in the stream of Radar and microwave engineering
in the year of 1998,2004 respectively Now, he is working as Assoc. Professor in Aditya Institute of Technology and
Management, Tekkali, India. He is pursuing his Ph. D in the area of Fractal Antenna. He is the Life member of IETE, ISTE
His area of interests are Antenna and wave propagation, Microwave and Radars.

L. Ramababu completed his B.Tech and Master of Technology in the stream of VLSI System design in the year
of 2004, 2012 respectively Now, he is working as Asst Professor in Aditya Institute of Technology And Management,
Tekkali, India. He is the Life member of ISTE

Dr. P. V. Sridevi completed her Master of Engineering in the stream of applied electronics from PSG college of
Engg in the year of 1988 and PhD; in the area of Antennas and Microwave communications from Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam. She is working as Professor in A U College of Engineering (A) Andhra University Visakhapatnam, India.
Impact Factor (JCC): 4.9467

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0