Finite difference time domain analysis of a photonic crystal substrate patch antenna

Planar microstrip patch antennas can achieve a wide range of radiation patterns. However, due to surface-wave losses, they have low bandwidth, low gain, and a potential decrease in radiation efficiency. In order to minimize the surface-wave effects, a photonic-band gap (PBG) substrate is proposed. The PBG structure significantly diminishes the surface-wave modes and thus improves the gain and far-field radiation pattern and efficiency. In this paper, using FDTD, an accurate full-wave analysis of surface-wave propagation in a rectangular microstrip patch antenna with and without PBG is presented. Finally, the antenna fabricated and result of measurement was compared with numerical simulation.