Application of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) superstrates with controllable defects for a class of patch antennas as spatial angular filters

In this paper, we present some applications of an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) superstrate as a spatial angular filter for filtering undesired radiation by sharpening the radiation pattern. Two different defects, one introduced by the ground plane of the antenna and the other produced by a row of defect rods with different dielectric constants in the EBG structure, are simultaneously used as key controllers of directivity enhancement. Initially, we study the unit cell of the EBG structures by varying several parameters, in order to understand how they influence the locations of the bandgap and defect frequencies. Next, the defect frequencies of the unit cell of the EBG cover, and those with high directivity for the EBG antenna composite, are compared to validate the proposed design scheme. Finally, we introduce some interesting applications of EBG superstrates for various types of patch antennas as spatial angular filters, such as a dual-band orthogonally-polarized antenna, a wide-band directive antenna, and an array antenna with grating lobes.