High gain planar resonant cavity antennas based on metamaterial and frequency selective surfaces

Resonant cavity antenna (RCA) consisting of frequency selective surfaces (FSS) or metamaterial surfaces, provides a low cost alternative to highly directive horn aperture antennas. In addition to this, quasi planar structure of RCA provides reduction in weight & size. Prior research in this field has shown that artificial surface based RCAs have interesting features which are not limited to highly directional radiation. Major research directions in this area are presented in this paper. Earlier research revealed that RCAs could be configured for low profile antennas, reconfigurable antennas, antennas with wide bandwidth, antennas for multiband or antennas for circularly polarized radiation. A comprehensive summary of the pre-published research results is furnished here to indicate the lacunae along with the scope of future development in this area.