A novel low mutual coupling microstrip antenna array design using defected ground structure

Defected ground structures (DGS) have been developed to improve characteristics of many microwave devices. In this paper, using FDTD method, effect of DGS to mutual coupling reduction of a two-element microstrip antenna array is investigated. The proposed DGS antenna is compared to other techniques and is shown to have an exceptionally lower mutual coupling between two E-plane coupled elements. Impact of the designed DGS on higher-order modes and radiation pattern of the antenna array is also examined.