Miniaturization of patch antennas with new artificial magnetic layers

A new type of high-impedance surface (HIS) has recently been introduced (Simovski, C.R. et al., 2004 IEEE Antennas and Propag. Soc. Int. Symp., vol.1, p.297-300, 2004). We propose to use such layers, with some modification, as artificial magnetic materials in the design of patch antennas. The new HIS is simulated and patch antennas partially filled by these composite layers are measured in order to test how much the antenna dimensions can be reduced. In order to investigate the frequency behavior of the material experimentally, different sizes of the patches are designed and tested with the same material layers. Also, the height of the patch is changed in order to find the best possible position for minimizing the antenna size. This composite layer of an artificial magnetic material has made the antenna smaller while keeping the bandwidth characteristics of the antenna about the same. About 40% size reduction has been achieved.