Combining metamaterial-inspired electrically small antennas with electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures to achieve higher directivities and bandwidths

We have developed a variety of electrically small, low-profile, planar, near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) antennas [1], [2], [3], [4]. These NFRP antennas have been generally designed on a ground plane with a low-profile footprint, but not conformal above a ground plane. Furthermore, being electrically small, their directivities and bandwidths are approximately equal to those of an infinitesimal dipole. Many wireless applications demand higher directivities and increased bandwidths with a conformal form factor. This contribution further develops these metamaterial-inspired NFRP antenna designs to incorporate electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures to achieve higher directivities and bandwidths.