Performance comparisons between dielectric resonator antennas and printed microstrip patch antennas at X-band

The performance of a cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and a circular printed microstrip patch antenna (MPA) are compared at X-band. Comparisons between the antenna sizes, transmission coefficients, radiationpatterns, gains and radiation efficiencies are discussed. Similar broadside radiation modes are excited for both antennas. The antennas are fabricated or etched on the same dielectric materials and designed with the same matched frequency range. It is concluded that the DRA has a wider bandwidth and a higher gain than the MPA. The radiation efficiency of the DRA is nearly 95 percent, while it is only approximately 80 percent for the MPA, due to the conduction losses.