Elliptical and Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna Arrays for 5G Base Station Applications: A Comparative Performance Analysis at 3.5 GHz

Microstrip patch antennas have emerged as preferred candidates for 5G base station deployments due to their low profile, lightweight construction, conformability, and ease of integration with planar feeding networks. This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of Elliptical Microstrip Patch Antennas (EMPAs) and Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antennas (RMPAs) designed for 5G base station applications at 3.5 GHz. Using CST Microwave Studio simulations, single-element and multi-element array configurations for both geometries were evaluated against key performance metrics including return loss, VSWR, bandwidth, gain, directivity, radiation pattern characteristics, impedance matching, and radiation efficiency. The three-element EMPA array achieved exceptional gain of 15.65 dB more than double the 7.59 dBi of a single EMPA element with near-ideal impedance matching (48.45 Ω to 50 Ω standard) and 98.7% radiation efficiency. The RMPA array demonstrated superior return loss (-29.627 dB) and extended bandwidth (2.45 GHz) with a VSWR of 1.0682, representing near-perfect impedance matching. While the elliptical configuration offered higher gain and better efficiency, the rectangular design provided wider bandwidth and deeper return loss. These findings establish quantitative design guidelines for selecting optimal microstrip patch antenna configurations for specific 5G deployment scenarios.