Miniaturization of microstrip patch antenna through metamaterial approach

This paper reports a method of reducing a microstrip patch antenna size using Defected Ground Structure (DGS) metamaterial. The antenna was designed to operate at frequency of 2.45 GHz for Wi-Fi application. The DGS exhibits negative permittivity and permeability proved by applying the Nicolson-Ross-Weir (NRW) method. Simulations have been carried out using Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST-MWS) and measured using the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) to prove the performances of the antenna in term of gain, return loss, bandwidth, and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR). The antenna was fabricated on RO3003 substrate with dielectric constant of 3.00 and a thickness of 0.75 mm. Based on the results, the metamaterial antenna exhibits a reduction of 82.77% compared to the size of conventional antenna. The return loss was also improved by 38.23%.