Design and Photo-Lithographic Fabrication of Microstrip Patch Antenna

Microstrip patch antennas are generally fabricated by photo-lithographic method. Photo-lithographic method produces highly accurate etched pattern for the microstrip patch. Fabrication accuracy is very critical as the microstrip patch antennas are narrow band resonant structures that usually operate in the microwave bands. Fabrication errors in the patch dimensions will shift its resonant frequency. Photo-lithographic method is a chemical etching process which removes the unwanted metal regions of the metallic layer. This paper describes the design, simulation and the step by step fabrication process for a rectangular microstrip patch antenna.