Performances of low profile dipole antenna AMC-based surface using metamaterials structures

Artificial Magnetic Conductors (AMCs), a real version of Perfect Magnetic Conductors (PMCs), are widely used to replace surfaces of high impedance. Based on unit cells of Multiple Split-Ring Resonators (MSRRs) that are printed on low-cost dielectric grounded substrate, AMCs are employed as a ground plane for antennas. In this paper, the performance of a low profile dipole antenna positioned above a planar AMC surface is examined. The characteristics of the AMC return loss are initially investigated at the resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz. Two arrays having 49 and 81 MSRR unit cells are then simulated and modeled with the dipole antenna placed above. The results are of great importance as the directivity reaches 6 dB for the configuration of 9 × 9 unit cells. This confirms that the MSRR can perfectly replace the conventional ground plane antenna in order to improve the gain and the directivity of their radiations.