Dual band microstrip patch antenna array loaded with split ring resonators and via holes

Reduction in antenna size by using multi-band radiators play a vital role in the miniaturization of present world wireless handheld devices, as dual band behaviour of the antennas result in the integration of more than one communication standard in a single system and thus, saving the installation space required for separate antennas. In this context, this communication presents a shorted-pin dual band metamaterial inspired microstrip patch antenna array. Under the unloaded conditions, the traditional patch antenna array resonates at 5.8 GHz with gain of 9.8 dBi and bandwidth of 540 MHz. However, when each patch of this traditional antenna array is loaded with split ring resonator (SRR) and a metallic via hole is introduced in the patch, the same antenna array produces an additional resonant frequency in IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi band with bandwidth and gain of 290 MHz and 5.6 dBi, respectively, while the initial resonant frequency (i.e. 5.8 GHz) gets shifted to IEEE 802.11ac 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, providing the gain and bandwidth of 11.4 dBi and 510 MHz, respectively. The proposed antenna array has been fabricated, and the measured results are presented to validate the proposed array. Moreover, the equivalent circuit of the proposed antenna array has been designed and analyzed to validate the simulated, measured and theoretical results. Attainment of dual band characteristics by incorporating the metamaterial with single band traditional patch antenna array makes this structure novel, as this has been achieved without any extra hardware cost, size and loss of structural planarity. Also, both the frequency bands of this proposed metamaterial inspired antenna array possess considerable gain and bandwidth.