Hemispherical dielectric resonator antenna mounted on or embedded in spherical ground plane with a superstrate

Characteristics of hemispherical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) mounted on or embedded in spherical ground plane are discussed in this paper. Curvature effects on radiation characteristics of hemispherical DRA are evaluated using the finite element method and the finite integration technique. The co-polarization and the cross-polarization characteristics are analyzed. The structure of a superstrate-loaded hemispherical DRA is treated. The superstrate layer is loaded directly on the hemispherical DRA. The results obtained for the reflection coefficient, the input impedance and the radiation pattern in different planes are analyzed as functions of ground sphere radius and superstrate permittivity.