Electromagnetic Band Gap Structure Applications in Modern Wireless Perspective: A Review

Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) Structures are of great interest among RF and microwave engineers since their development. Because of their unique characteristics like zero phase reflection and surface wave suppression, they have been used for design of efficient antennas and numerous other applications. This article briefs a review of the three state of the art applications where EBG structures have been utilized namely: Ground Bounce Noise (GBN) suppression or Simultaneous Switching Noise (SSN) suppression, Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) reduction. SSN reduction up to −60 dB is achieved by printing EBG structures on power plane of mixed signal system. By embedding the EBG structures with patch antenna up to 20 dB reduction in RCS is realized. Up to 84% reduction in the SAR of a mobile phone antenna is obtained as compared to same antenna without any EBG loading. Substantial reduction in the SAR of a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) antenna is also observed when integrated with EBG structures.