A Simple Linear-Type Negative Permittivity Metamaterials Substrate Microstrip Patch Antenna

A microstrip patch antenna (MPA) loaded with linear-type negative permittivity metamaterials (NPMMs) is designed. The simple linear-type metamaterials have negative permittivity at 1–10 GHz. Four groups of antennas at different frequency bands are simulated in order to study the effect of linear-type NPMMs on MPA. The antennas working at 5.0 GHz are processed and measured. The measured results illustrate that the gain is enhanced by 2.12 dB, the H-plane half-power beam width (HPBW) is converged by 14°, and the effective area is increased by 62.5%. It can be concluded from the simulation and measurements that the linear-type metamaterials loaded on the substrate of MAP can suppress surface waves and increase forward radiation well.