Composite circular split ring resonator (CSRR)-based left-handed metamaterial for C- and Ku-band application

The aim of this study is to introduce a compact metamaterial structure for dual-band (C- and Ku-band) applications. Due to their unique electromagnetic properties, metamaterials find wide use in satellite applications to improve performance, and have therefore received great attention from researchers all over the world. In this article, a left-handed circular split ring resonator metamaterial structure is designed for satellite application. The inner circular split rings are split with thickness of 0.20 mm and a 0.25 mm thickness rectangular bar tilted at angles of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees to connect all the main resonator rings. The metamaterial design proposed here is developed on a square Epoxy Resin Fiber (FR-4), which serves as the dielectric substrate layer. The metamaterial structure was successfully designed and simulated using numerical analytical methods such as Finite Integration Technique (FIT)-based electromagnetic simulator, and Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST). Several designs were used to perform parametric studies while varying the subtract strip line thicknesses and subtraction angles. A frequency range of 0-18 GHz was used in simulation, where the design manifested resonance frequencies at 6.46 GHz and 16.92 GHz. In addition, the fabricated metamaterial showed resonance frequencies at 6.54 GHz and 17.06 GHz, making this design applicable for both C- and Ku-bands. Comparison between experimental and numerical results showed that transmission coefficient graphs obtained from the two methods were largely in agreement with each other and showed only small differences. The resonance frequency at Ku-band exhibited left-handed metamaterial behavior that makes the designed metamaterial suitable for satellite communication system.