Comprehensive Study of Substrate Materials for Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna At 3.5 GHz

Abstract

5G communication demands compact, efficient antennas capable of operating in key bands like 3.5 GHz to support high data rates and reliable connectivity. Among various types, antenna design focuses on balancing performance, size, and integration for modern wireless applications. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of ten different substrate materials for a rectangular microstrip patch antenna (RMPA) designed for 3.5 GHz 5G applications. The substrates investigated include FR-4, RO4730JXR, Teflon, E-glass, Taconic RF-35, Polystyrene, Form, Plexiglass, Fused Quartz, and TMM4. Key antenna performance parameters such as bandwidth, return loss, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), impedance matching, and radiation characteristics were analyzed using MATLAB R2024b-based electromagnetic modelling. Results indicate that the Plexiglass substrate achieved the best impedance matching with a return loss of −20.7726 dB and VSWR of 1.0043, while the Form substrate provided the widest bandwidth of 6.39 % with a good return loss of −17.84488 dB. The study emphasises the critical influence of substrate dielectric properties on antenna efficiency, bandwidth, and radiation behavior. Findings provide valuable guidance for material selection in sub-6 GHz 5G antenna design and contribute to the advancement of compact, high-performance wireless communication systems.