Artificial Magnetic Conductors on Wideband Patch Antenna

The use of Artiflcial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) as a re∞ector in a printed antenna is known to improve the antenna's radiation characteristics. This work investigates the implementation of AMC as a re∞ector on a wideband planar monopole antenna. The investigation is conflned to a basic square unit cell of AMC with four possible variations. The AMC structures are constructed with square cells which have either similar square cells or a Perfect Electric Conductor (PEC) as the back plane. These same structures are also fabricated with vias. The impedance bandwidth, gain and power pattern are simulated and measured over the measured i10dB impedance bandwidth of 3GHz to 10GHz. The outcome of the investigation is that, for the antenna element and AMC structures considered in this study, a gain enhancement of up to 6dB can be achieved with the AMC structures. In addition, introduction of vias is observed not to in∞uence gain, though it improves cross-polarization levels by 3dB to 5dB for AMC constructed of squares backed by PEC.