Optimization of the Input Impedance of Koch Triangular Quasi-Fractal

Antennas Using Genetic Algorithms

Elder Eldervitch C. de Oliveira, Adaildo G. D’Assunção, and Cláudio R. M. da Silva

Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN
Caixa Postal 1655, CEP 59078-970, Natal, RN, Brazil
planckk@yahoo.com.br, adaildo@ct.ufrn.br, claudio.rmsilva@gmail.com

Abstract— This work presents an optimization on the input
impedance of Koch triangular quasi-fractal antennas using an
efficient genetic algorithm (GA). The impedance matching is
done by using an inset-fed, which is optimized to minimize the
return loss (RL). The excitation of this structure is done using a
microstrip line. The antennas are designed using the Ansoft
DesignTM software and the new structures, that are optimized
with GA, are simulated, measured and compared with the same
patch antenna but with the lengths of the inset-fed (y0) calculated
by well-known models available in the literature. The return loss
value of the GA optimized antenna is below -40 dB at the
resonant frequency.
I. INTRODUCTION
The recent advances wireless communication system
technologies and the growing interest on their applications
have increased the use of compact UWB and multiband
antennas for commercial and military applications [1], [2].
work a simple GA was used in the design of a quasi-fractal
antenna in order to optimize its impedance matching.
IV. NUMERICAL RESULTS
Fig. 2 shows the measured and simulated results obtained
for the return loss versus frequency for the Koch triangular
level 2 (KT2) antenna shown in Fig. 1(b). Results are
presented for the GA optimized antenna, and for the two cases
in which the designs of the inset-fed length are performed
using the techniques described in [1] and [2]. The used GA
only optimizes the length of the inset-fed in order to improve
the impedance matching at the operating frequency, while
preserves the bandwidth of the antenna.

II. QUASI-FRACTAL ANTENNA DESIGN

The considered quasi-fractal antennas are composed by a
dielectric substrate that is mounted on a ground plane. The
dielectric substrate is FR4 with a dielectric constant equal to
4.4 and a dielectric thickness equal to 1.5 mm. The antenna is
fed using a 50 Ω microstrip line with length L0. To improve
the antenna input impedance matching an inset-fed length (y0)
is used. The considered quasi-fractal antennas are shown in
Fig. 1, where all dimensions are given in mm. The fractal
geometry assumed in this work is based on the curves of Fig. 2. Simulated and measured results for the return loss
Koch, with 1/3L e 1/3W scale factors. versus frequency for the GA optimized KT2 antenna.

Fig. 1. Microstrip antennas: (a) Koch triangular level 1 (KT1) and (b) Koch
triangular level 2 (KT2).
III. GENETIC ALGORITHM
Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been successfully used to
solve several electromagnetic problems in last years.
Particularly they have been used in the analyses of frequency
selective surfaces (FSS) and microstrip antennas [3]. In this
V. CONCLUSION
The length of the inset-fed (y0) of KT2 quasi-fractal
antennas was optimized using a genetic algorithm. The use of
this GA has improved the antenna performance, minimizing
the return loss and providing an excellent input impedance
matching at the resonant frequency for the quasi-fractal
antenna, when compared to the results obtained for the same
antenna with inset-fed lengths calculated using other
techniques.
VI. REFERENCES
[1] M. Ramesh and Y. KB, “Design Formula for Inset Fed Microstrip Patch
Antenna”, Journal of Microwaves and Optoelectronics, Vol. 3, 2003.
[2] C. Balanis, Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, 2nd ed., Vol. 2. New
York: Wiley, 1997.
[3] F. J. Villegas, T. Cwik, Y. Rahmat-Sami, and M. Manteghi, “A Parallel
Electromagnetic Genetic-Algorithm Optimization (EGO) Application for
Patch Antenna Design”, IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 52, No.
9, pp. 2424-2435, September 2004.

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