Design and Analysis of Miniaturized Metamaterial Inspired Split Ring Resonator Elements for Multiband Operation

Abstract

In recent times, in the domain of wireless communication systems, the demand for compact multiband antennas is increasing steadily. Multiband antennas with broad bandwidth and appropriate radiation patterns are very much needed for wireless communication. Conventional multiband antenna designs employ radiating element, feed structure, ground plane with additional branches, parasitic elements, stubs and fractal structures and thereby make the antenna profile complicated and large. Metamaterials opened up new frontiers in multiband antenna design and microwave engineering due to their unusual properties. They are artificially engineered materials that have very peculiar structure and electromagnetic properties that are not found in any naturally occurring materials. Due to their unusual electromagnetic properties, they are widely used to enhance antenna performance. This thesis examines suitable techniques to achieve a miniaturized multiband antenna with enhanced parameters using metamaterial Split Ring Resonator (SRR) unit elements. This research has four parts. In the first part, design of a miniaturized Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) fed Broadside Coupled Split Ring Resonator (BC-SRR) for dual band antenna is discussed. The proposed BC-SRR antenna is analyzed for optimal impedance matching and appropriate characteristics. Based on the study, an effective and compact dual band antenna design applicable for WiMAX® and WAVE applications is achieved. In the second part, a compact Multi Split Ring Resonator (MSRR) loaded inset fed monopole microstrip patch antenna is investigated for dual band operation. The use of MSRR loading at appropriate places helps to improve the performances of the antenna. Multiband operation is commonly required in modern wireless applications such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and satellite-based communications.