Accuracy of EM Simulation Tools in Modeling of Resonant Left-Handed Microstrip Lines

Split ring resonators and complementary split ring resonators are used in left-handed media to obtain negative values of permeability and permittivity, respectively. A typical resonant left-handed (LH) microstrip line, composed of complementary split ring resonators (CSSR) and capacitive gaps in the microstrip, exhibits a pass-band behavior. However, a significant shift between the measured and simulated values of the central frequency of the pass-band always occurs. In this paper, three widely used full-wave simulation tools: Ansoft's High Frequency Structure Simulator, EMSight in Microwave Office, and IE3D from Zeland Software Inc., are compared for the case of resonant LH transmission lines. The simulation results are compared with the measured data.