A new method is proposed to enhance the gain and efficiency of planar printed antennas. The proposed method is based on using artificial magnetic materials as a superstrate for planar printed antennas while maintaining the low-profile attractive feature of these antennas. It is found that the antenna's gain increases as the permeability of the superstrate increases. Due to the lack of low-loss natural magnetic materials in the microwave band, designing artificial materials with magnetic properties has become increasingly attractive in recent years. In particular, using magneto-dielectric superstrates reduces the wavelength in the media leading to a miniaturized composite structure (antenna with superstrate). The split ring resonator SRR is used as a unit cell of an artificial magnetic superstrate for a microstrip antenna to enhance the antenna gain and efficiency. Also, in this work, mechanism of operation for artificial magnetic materials is theoretically investigated. Analytical and numerical methods are provided to model the behaviour of these materials. Full-wave analysis of multilayered periodic structures is an expensive computational task which requires considerable computer resources. In this work, a fast analytical solution for the radiation field of a microstrip antenna loaded with a generalized superstrate is proposed. The proposed solution is based on using the cavity model in conjunction with the reciprocity theorem and the transmission line analogy. The proposed analytical formulation reduces the simulation time by two orders of magnitude in comparison with full-wave analysis. The method presented in this work is verified using both numerical and experimental results for the case of a patch antenna covered with an artificial 3D periodic superstrate. Another useful feature of a microstrip antenna covered with superstrate is controlling the direction and beamwidth of the main beam of the antenna. Beam steering has been traditionally implemented in antenna arrays using phase shifters which result in complex and expensive structures and suffer from high loss and mass. This work provides a novel method to steer the main beam of a patch antenna by partially covering it with a high refractive index superstrate. The beam steering of a single patch is possible because of the dual-slot radiation mechanism of the microstrip antenna (according to the cavity model). Full-wave simulations, analytical modeling and experiments are provided to support the proposed technique of beam steering in planar antennas.

A new method is proposed to enhance the gain and efficiency of planar printed antennas. The proposed method is based on using artificial magnetic materials as a superstrate for planar printed antennas while maintaining the low-profile attractive feature of these antennas. It is found that the antenna's gain increases as the permeability of the superstrate increases. Due to the lack of low-loss natural magnetic materials in the microwave band, designing artificial materials with magnetic properties has become increasingly attractive in recent years. In particular, using magneto-dielectric superstrates reduces the wavelength in the media leading to a miniaturized composite structure (antenna with superstrate). The split ring resonator SRR is used as a unit cell of an artificial magnetic superstrate for a microstrip antenna to enhance the antenna gain and efficiency. Also, in this work, mechanism of operation for artificial magnetic materials is theoretically investigated. Analytical and numerical methods are provided to model the behaviour of these materials. Full-wave analysis of multilayered periodic structures is an expensive computational task which requires considerable computer resources. In this work, a fast analytical solution for the radiation field of a microstrip antenna loaded with a generalized superstrate is proposed. The proposed solution is based on using the cavity model in conjunction with the reciprocity theorem and the transmission line analogy. The proposed analytical formulation reduces the simulation time by two orders of magnitude in comparison with full-wave analysis. The method presented in this work is verified using both numerical and experimental results for the case of a patch antenna covered with an artificial 3D periodic superstrate. Another useful feature of a microstrip antenna covered with superstrate is controlling the direction and beamwidth of the main beam of the antenna. Beam steering has been traditionally implemented in antenna arrays using phase shifters which result in complex and expensive structures and suffer from high loss and mass. This work provides a novel method to steer the main beam of a patch antenna by partially covering it with a high refractive index superstrate. The beam steering of a single patch is possible because of the dual-slot radiation mechanism of the microstrip antenna (according to the cavity model). Full-wave simulations, analytical modeling and experiments are provided to support the proposed technique of beam steering in planar antennas.

Artificial Magnetic Materials (AMMs) are a subgroup of metamaterials which are engineered to provide desirable magnetic properties not seen in natural materials. These artificial structures are designed to provide either negative or enhanced positive (higher than one) relative permeability. AMMs with negative permeability are used to develop Single Negative (SNG), or Double Negative (DNG) metamaterials. AMMs with enhanced positive permeability are used to provide magneto-dielectric materials at microwave frequencies where the natural magnetic materials fail to work efficiently. AMMs are realized by embedding metallic resonators in a host dielectric. These inclusions provide desirable magnetic properties near their resonance frequency. Artificial magnetic materials used as SNG, or DNG have many applications such as: sub-wavelength cavity resonators, sub-wavelength parallel-plate wave guides, sub-wavelength cylindrical and spherical core–shell systems, efficient electrically small dipole antennas, super lenses, THz active devices, sensitivity enhancement near-field probes using double and single negative media, and mutual coupling reduction between antennas. On the other hand, artificial magnetic materials used as magneto-dielectrics have other applications in developing enhanced bandwidth efficient miniaturized antennas, low profile enhanced gain antennas using artificial magnetic superstrates, wide band woodpile Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures, EBGs with enhanced in-phase reflection bandwidth used as artificial magnetic ground planes. In this thesis, several advances are added to the existing knowledge of developing artificial magnetic materials, in terms of analytical modeling, applications, realization, and experimental characterization. To realize AMMs with miniaturized unit cells, new inclusions based on fractal Hilbert curves are introduced, and analyzed. Analytical models, numerical full wave simulation, and experimental characterization are used to analyze, and study the new structures. A comprehensive comparison is made between the new inclusions, and perviously developed inclusions in terms of electromagnetic properties. The new inclusions have advantages of miniaturization, and less dispersion when compared to the existing structures in the literature. To realize multi-band AMMs, unit cells with multiple inclusions are proposed, designed, and analyzed. The new unit cells can be designed to give the desired magnetic properties either over distinguished multiple frequency bands, or over a single wide frequency band. Numerical full wave simulation is used to verify the proposed concept, and analytical models are provided for design, and optimization of the new unit cells. Unit cells with different configurations are optimized to get a wideband responce for the effective permeability. Space mapping technique is used to provide a link between analytically optimized structures, and full wave numerical simulation results. Two new methods are proposed for experimental characterization of artificial structures using microstrip, and strip line topologies. Using numerical results, the effect of anisotropy on the accuracy of the extracted parameters are investigated, and a fitting solution is proposed, and verified to address this challenge. New structures based on 2nd , and 3rd order fractal Hilbert curves are fabricated, and characterized using microstrip line, and strip line fixtures. Experimental results are presented, and compared with numerical results. The new experimental methods have advantages of lower cost, easier to fabricate and measure, and smaller sample size when compared to the existing methods in the literature. A new application is proposed for use of magnetic materials to develop wide band artificial magnetic conductors (AMC). Analytical models, and numerical analysis is used to validate the concept. A new ultra wideband AMC is designd, and analysed. The designed AMC is used as the ground plane to develop a low profile high gain ultra wide band antenna. The designed antenna is simulated, and its return loss, and gain is presented over a wide range of frequencies. A comprehensive study is presented on the performance of AMMs for the application of miniaturized antennas. A miniaturized antenna, using fractal Hilbert metamaterials as substrate, is fabricated, and measured. Measurement results are presented, and compared with numerical results. A parametric study is presented on the effect of the constitutive parameters of the artificial substrate on the performance of the miniaturized antenna. In this study, the effect of magnetic loss of AMM on the gain, and efficiency of the antenna, as well as the effect of dispersion of AMM on the bandwidth of the antenna is investigated.

Artificial Magnetic Materials (AMMs) are a subgroup of metamaterials which are engineered to provide desirable magnetic properties not seen in natural materials. These artificial structures are designed to provide either negative or enhanced positive (higher than one) relative permeability. AMMs with negative permeability are used to develop Single Negative (SNG), or Double Negative (DNG) metamaterials. AMMs with enhanced positive permeability are used to provide magneto-dielectric materials at microwave frequencies where the natural magnetic materials fail to work efficiently. AMMs are realized by embedding metallic resonators in a host dielectric. These inclusions provide desirable magnetic properties near their resonance frequency. Artificial magnetic materials used as SNG, or DNG have many applications such as: sub-wavelength cavity resonators, sub-wavelength parallel-plate wave guides, sub-wavelength cylindrical and spherical core–shell systems, efficient electrically small dipole antennas, super lenses, THz active devices, sensitivity enhancement near-field probes using double and single negative media, and mutual coupling reduction between antennas. On the other hand, artificial magnetic materials used as magneto-dielectrics have other applications in developing enhanced bandwidth efficient miniaturized antennas, low profile enhanced gain antennas using artificial magnetic superstrates, wide band woodpile Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures, EBGs with enhanced in-phase reflection bandwidth used as artificial magnetic ground planes. In this thesis, several advances are added to the existing knowledge of developing artificial magnetic materials, in terms of analytical modeling, applications, realization, and experimental characterization. To realize AMMs with miniaturized unit cells, new inclusions based on fractal Hilbert curves are introduced, and analyzed. Analytical models, numerical full wave simulation, and experimental characterization are used to analyze, and study the new structures. A comprehensive comparison is made between the new inclusions, and perviously developed inclusions in terms of electromagnetic properties. The new inclusions have advantages of miniaturization, and less dispersion when compared to the existing structures in the literature. To realize multi-band AMMs, unit cells with multiple inclusions are proposed, designed, and analyzed. The new unit cells can be designed to give the desired magnetic properties either over distinguished multiple frequency bands, or over a single wide frequency band. Numerical full wave simulation is used to verify the proposed concept, and analytical models are provided for design, and optimization of the new unit cells. Unit cells with different configurations are optimized to get a wideband responce for the effective permeability. Space mapping technique is used to provide a link between analytically optimized structures, and full wave numerical simulation results. Two new methods are proposed for experimental characterization of artificial structures using microstrip, and strip line topologies. Using numerical results, the effect of anisotropy on the accuracy of the extracted parameters are investigated, and a fitting solution is proposed, and verified to address this challenge. New structures based on 2nd , and 3rd order fractal Hilbert curves are fabricated, and characterized using microstrip line, and strip line fixtures. Experimental results are presented, and compared with numerical results. The new experimental methods have advantages of lower cost, easier to fabricate and measure, and smaller sample size when compared to the existing methods in the literature. A new application is proposed for use of magnetic materials to develop wide band artificial magnetic conductors (AMC). Analytical models, and numerical analysis is used to validate the concept. A new ultra wideband AMC is designd, and analysed. The designed AMC is used as the ground plane to develop a low profile high gain ultra wide band antenna. The designed antenna is simulated, and its return loss, and gain is presented over a wide range of frequencies. A comprehensive study is presented on the performance of AMMs for the application of miniaturized antennas. A miniaturized antenna, using fractal Hilbert metamaterials as substrate, is fabricated, and measured. Measurement results are presented, and compared with numerical results. A parametric study is presented on the effect of the constitutive parameters of the artificial substrate on the performance of the miniaturized antenna. In this study, the effect of magnetic loss of AMM on the gain, and efficiency of the antenna, as well as the effect of dispersion of AMM on the bandwidth of the antenna is investigated.