Planar and Volumetric Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures - a Comparison

Abstract

In recent years, the number of publications dealing with the use of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures in antenna engineering has been increased rapidly. However, there is only a few papers describing the pros and cons of different EBG structures. In this contribution, a comparative study of planar versus volumetric EBG structure is presented. The emphasis is placed on the ability of the EBG's to suppress surface waves propagating along the dielectric-air interface, and thus achieve a desired radiation pattern of a planar antenna. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the considered EBG structures - the uniplanar compact EBG (UC-EBG) and the classical volumetric EBG (air holes drilled in dielectric substrate) - a patch antenna with and without EBG was designed and simulated in CST microwave studio.