Characterization of planar printed meander antennas using the finite-difference time-domain technique

Meander type antennas are shorter than conventional resonant straight-wire ones and when printed on dielectric substrates with a ground backing have the advantages of low-profile, small size, and increased directivity. Previously a moment method formulation was used to compute the characteristics of a printed meander antenna. In that formulation an infinite substrate and a bent wire printed on that substrate were assumed. In this paper an accurate characterization of planar printed meander antennas is presented. The FDTD is used because of its efficiency and flexibility in solving the complex heterogeneous geometry of the antenna. In our model the antenna consists of a bent metal strip printed on a dielectric substrate of finite extent.