Gain enhancement methods for microstrip patch antennas

This paper presents the results of my research on the use of gain enhancement methods for microstrip patch antennas. Special attention was given to novel material technology - photonic bandgap structures (PBG). I considered also stacked microstrip antennas with parasitic patch, with dielectric superstrate and antennas with slotted ground plane. Interest in concepts considered bulky, such as dielectric lenses, were abandoned during the course of the research. Comprehensive electromagnetic simulations were performed with the goal of a gain enhancement with a single patch element. The most interesting antennas were examined experimentally.