Microstrip Patch Antennas Containing Multi-PBG Structures

Microstrip patch antennas of a proposed type would contain photonic- bandgap (PBG) structures characterized by multiple bandgaps. In a given antenna, the PBG structure(s) could be one or more periodic dielectric and/or metal structures that could be embedded in the dielectric substrate of the antenna and/or formed on either or both faces of the dielectric substrate. As explained below, the incorporation of PBG structures would facilitate the design of a smaller antenna capable of providing a given amount of gain at a given frequency.