Two element microstrip antenna array using square slot EBG structure for C-band applications

This paper discusses the performance of two element microstrip antenna array (TMA) in the absence and presence of square slot 2D-Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structure. The antenna arrays have been designed using Mentor Graphics IE3D simulation software and measured results obtained using vector network analyzer. The antenna arrays have been fabricated using FR-4 glass epoxy substrate. The proposed antenna array operates in the C-band ranging from 4–8 GHz. The TMA designed at 6 GHz resonates at 5.445 GHz with a bandwidth of 197 MHz. With the EBG structure loaded in the ground plane of TMA, the antenna array shows enhanced performance in terms of bandwidth, mutual coupling, miniaturization, back lobe radiation and front to back ratio.

I. Introduction

An antenna is defined as an electrical device that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves. It is a key component in most of the communication systems. The radiation properties of an antenna can be varied by changing the dimensions of the geometry of the antenna or by incorporating new structures in the antenna or by making necessary changes in the antenna structure. Some of the radiation properties of an antenna are directivity, gain, half power beam width, beam width between first nulls, radiation resistance etc. Proper design of an antenna is very much useful in attaining the objectives of the researcher. [1]–[4].