Non-Destructive Defect Detection on PCB Boards Using a Metamaterial-Based Circular Patch Antenna

This study focuses on designing a metamaterial-based microstrip circular wideband patch antenna to determine the various types of defects on different locations for printed circuit boards (PCB). In line with this scope, PCB specimens of FR-4 substrate were prepared in the size of $40\mathrm{~mm}\times 40\mathrm{~mm}$, and five straight lines were placed on the substrate. Open circuit and short circuit defect scenarios were investigated to determine spectral changes through a highly sensitive and reliable sensor. In order to increase the sensitivity of the designed sensor, metamaterial-based cell structures with octagon ring form were placed periodically at the ground layer of the designed antenna. The results of this work indicate that the presence of $PCB$ defects can be non-destructively measured with real-time data.