Gain enhancement of patch antenna integrated with metamaterial inspired superstrate

Abstract

The paper investigates single band planar resonant antenna inspired by phi-shaped slotted metamaterial superstrate and a square patch antenna is used as a primary radiator. The antenna is modeled using finite difference time domain method and resonates at S band. The antenna comprises of single layer symmetrical metamaterial superstrate which is used to suppress surface waves based on μ-negative characteristics. The effective material parameters of the metamaterial structure are extracted from S-parameters using Nicholson–Ross–Weir method. The antenna achieves −28.64 dB reflection coefficient of 2.4 GHz and also maintains good radiation characteristics with a peak measured gain of 7.94 dB at its operating frequency. Due to its advantages, the antenna can be used for modern wireless communications. Keywords: Patch antenna, Metamaterials, Nicholson–Ross–Weir method, Radiation pattern, Surface waves