Analysis and design of a triple band metamaterial simplified CRLH cells loaded monopole antenna

The design and analysis of meta-material inspired loaded monopole antenna for multiband operation are reported. The proposed antenna consists of multi resonators inspired from half mode composite right/left handed cells, which has a simple structure, compact size, and provides multiband functionalities. As a proof of concept, a triple band antenna covering all possible WiMAX operating bands, has been designed, fabricated, and characterized. The hosting monopole patch itself generates resonance for 3.3-3.8 GHz band, whereas the loaded metamaterial cells add extra resonance frequencies. The loading of two resonator cells introduces two extra resonances for 2.5-2.7 GHz and 5.3-5.9 GHz bands, respectively. The antenna's operating principle and design procedures with the aid of electromagnetic full wave simulation and experimental measurements are presented. The antenna has good omnidirectional patterns at all three bands. The monopole patch size is 13.5 x 6.5 mm(2) and the whole antenna size (including the feed line) is 35 x 32 mm(2). Compared with conventional single band microstrip patch radiator, the radiator size of this antenna is only 8.5% at 2.5 GHz, 17% at 3.5 GHz, and 37% at 5.5 GHz.