Experimental Analysis of a Directive Antenna with a 3D-EBG Superstrate
A three-dimensional electromagnetic crystal is employed as a directivity-enhancing superstrate for planar antennas. The crystal is a woodpile made of alumina rods. In a shielded anechoic chamber, the performance of a patch antenna covered with the woodpile is measured. The superstrate is positioned at different distances from the antenna and its orientation is varied in the 8–12 GHz frequency range. The return loss, gain and radiation pattern in the E- and H-planes are measured.