The microstrip active patch antenna behaves like a resonant circuit/cavity with multiple resonant frequencies; furthermore, depending on the non-linearity of the device, it generates significant amount of second harmonic radiation. The location of the device on the patch that maximizes the fundamental radiated power output is found to be not the position corresponding to the minimum second harmonic content in radiated power. An optimum location of the diode on the patch has been suggested. The paper also discusses the modification of the behavior of the active antenna, which is first an oscillator; and then a radiator, under injection-locked condition. The results are presented with respect to a Gunn-mounted rectangular patch.
