A novel approach for gain and bandwidth enhancement of patch antennas

The microstrip patch is one of the most preferred antenna structures for low-cost and compact design of wireless communication systems and RF sensors. To overcome several intrinsic limitations of the patch antenna such as narrow bandwidth, low gain, and degradation of radiation efficiency at higher frequencies, we propose a novel technique for gain and bandwidth enhancement based on the photonic band-gap (PBG) concept. The Ku-band prototype demonstrates over 3 times bandwidth improvement, and 1.6 dB higher gain or 45% increase in effective radiated power (ERP), compared with a regular patch with identical dimensions. System design issues such as co-site interference can also be alleviated by the improved beam patterns of the new PBG antenna.