2024 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Information & Communication Technology (ICEEICT)

02-04 May 2024, Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh

A Metasurface Integrated Patch Antenna for

2024 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Information & Communication Technology (ICEEICT) | 979-8-3503-8577-9/24/$31.00 ©2024 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICEEICT62016.2024.10534335

2.4 GHz Wireless Applications

Nahena Ahid* Md. Shahadat Hossain Titu Md. Shahidul Alam
Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
East Delta University, Chattagram, East Delta University, Chattagram, East Delta University, Chattagram,
Bangladesh Bangladesh Bangladesh
*Email: nahenaahid@[Link]

Abstract-The main focus this study involves designing a 2.4 enhanced by the MTS substrate layer's manipulation
GHz microstrip patch antenna integrated with a 3×3 metasurface nature on the substrate and the patch antenna [1][2][8]
layer and examining the enhancement of antenna performance [10] [21]-[25].
utilizing the metasurface layer. The suggested configurations are
simulated using CST studio suite, and the parameters were In recent years, a number of research have been reported
carefully optimized for the metasurface integrated patch antenna.
on the effect of metasurface on microstrip antennas’
The outcome reveals that the metasurface integrated antenna
surpasses the conventional antenna performance by enhancing performance [1][6]. To create a broader bandwidth and
antenna’s gain from 3.03 dB to 4.22 dB, increasing bandwidth greater gain, MTS layers are added on both the top and
from 5.13% to 7.97%, with a better radiation pattern profile and, bottom of a conventional microstrip patch antenna in [1],
efficiency improvement up to 10%. The proposed metasurface which resulted in a wider bandwidth (0.2 to 3.2 GHz),
integrated antenna has the possibility of use in several wireless improved efficiency (98%), reduced power loss, and low
communication systems such as mobile cellular systems, radar VSWR. Authors in [12] focused on a pie shaped slotted
systems, wireless sensor networks, satellite communications etc. MTS superstrate with FR4 material and photonics crystal
placed on top of patch antenna operating at 2.4 GHz. This
Keywords: metasurface, SRR, 2.4 GHz, metasurface antenna results in good radiation pattern, reduced reflection
coefficient |S11| for both MTS layers (from 15.27 dB to
I. INTRODUCTION 19.80 dB for FR4 and to 27.43 dB for photonic crystal),
Wireless communication technologies are highly used in enhanced gain from 6.96 to 7.94 dB for FR4 MTS layer,
modern culture and have become essential. The demand and to 9.67 dB for photonic crystals. In [13], researchers
for communication systems that are dependable, examined the performance of an UWB antenna by placing
economical, and capable of high-speed data transport has different array of a square shaped split-ring resonator
significantly increased recently. Among all the (SRR) over the antenna and reported improved |S11| within
components of contemporary technology, Microstrip the band and up to 3 dBi gain rise. A NZI-ENG multiband
patch antennas (MPA) become essential units of wireless metamaterial with a square-enclosed-circle split-ring-
communication systems because they are low profile, resonator (SEC-SRR) has been built in [14], which has
compatible with PCB technology, affordable, and simple three resonances within 2.6 GHz to 9.3 GHz band. Later,
to manufacture [1]-[3]. MPAs are frequently employed in different arrays of unit cell were applied on horn antennas
mobile, satellite, and radar systems. However, it has and performance of the antenna analyzed. In [15], the
several performance flaws such as low gain, lesser antenna gain at resonances is increased to 6.20 dB (E-
efficiency, and narrow bandwidth [1][2]. Researchers Plane) and 8.55 dB (H-Plane) by placing a double-stacked
have developed a number of strategies, one of which is the metasurface lens that consists of two circular slot ring
use of metasurface, to make better use of MPA's resonators on top of the antenna. Though most of the
advantages while curtailing the limitations [5]. studies utilized the NRI nature of metasurface, the work in
Metasurfaces (MTS) are artificial surfaces and periodic [8] shows that MPA performances can also be improved
sub-wavelength structure which consist of different to a large extent by using HRI metasurfaces. This work
metallic rings and dielectric substrate. Metasurface has employed a three layer MTS to achieve gain of 15.5 dB.
introduced novel possibilities in the domain of antenna
design, as they exhibit distinctive features, including Following the above research survey, this paper focuses
negative refractive index (NRI), zero refractive index on designing a metasurface integrated antenna that can
(ZRI), high refractive index (HRI) which can be utilized create positive effects in fields of wireless networks, Wi-
to improve antenna efficacy [6][8]. These unique Fi, Bluetooth devices, IoT devices and RFID systems
properties leading to the alteration of the interacting [18]-[20]. A 2.4 GHz SRR MTS unit cell and its 3×3 array
electromagnetic (EM) waves for which waves can be are simulated. The potential of the proposed metasurface
either decelerated or accelerated, reoriented, amplified, or is investigated by incorporating it with a conventional
repressed [5][6][8]. Antenna performances can be MPA and the enhanced performance is reported. Further,

979-8-3503-8577-9/24/$31.00 ©2024 IEEE

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 the proposed design is compared with the similar size of the SRR metasurface unit is 10.45×10.45 mm2,
researches done in [22]-[24]. while other dimensions are: r1 = 10.35 mm, r2 = 3 mm
(outer radius), 2.4 mm (inner radius), r3 = 2.4 mm of
II. DESIGN OF THE ANTENNA length and its width = 0.4 mm.
A. Inset-fed Microstrip patch antenna (MPA)
At first, an inset-fed MPA is designed for 2.4 GHz using
r1
the empirical formulas of equations (1)-(3) which are r3
referred from [4] [7] [11].
r2
(1)
^ .

(2)
√ /

Fig. 2. The unit cell details and 3×3 array of metasurface.

(3)
√
C. MPA with SRR Metasurface Layer
where, fr is operating frequency, Weff and Leff are effective The inset-fed MPA and the SRR MTS are combined as
patch width and length, and εr is the relative permittivity. shown in Fig. 3. The metasurface layer is positioned
Fig. 1 shows the 2.4 GHz conventional MPA designed on between the patch antenna and the ground of antenna
1.6 mm thick FR4 lossy material (εr = 4.3) which is used keeping an airgap of 0.5 mm.
as the substrate (41×41 mm2). The full copper layer
beneath the substrate is utilized as a ground plane. The
patch radiator (L × W = 36.5 × 28.68 mm2) is placed on
top of the substrate. The microstrip transmission line (Wf =
3.31 mm, Lf = 6.16 mm) used as inset fed (Lins= 4.6mm, Patch
Wins= 0.9mm) has a matching impedance of 50Ω.
Metasurface (MTS)

Front View
Wg Substrate
W

Lg Fig. 3. Metasurface integrated microstrip antenna.

L
The integration of metasurface is crucial as the antenna
Back View may not perform as expected or even exhibit degraded
results if not carefully optimized. The operational
Fig. 1. Conventional Microstrip Patch Antenna.
frequency of the antenna has changed due to the addition
of a MTS layer underneath it. As the performance
B. Metasurface (MTS) Unit Cell enhancement is examined at 2.4 GHz, therefore the
frequency shifting problem is mitigated by slightly tuning
The geometry of proposed square-shaped metasurface unit
the MTS antenna size for 2.4 GHz operation. The
cell and its 3×3 array which is incorporated with the above
optimized dimensions are: Lgnd(new) = 44 mm, patch size,
antenna are shown in Fig. 2. The SRR unit cell is made up
Lnew × Wnew = 33.9 × 41.5 mm2, airgap = 0.5 mm.
of metallic rings with gaps on a dielectric substrate. For
approximation of the capacitive (C) and inductive (L) III. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF METASURFACE
effects of SRR related to operating frequency and unit cell INTEGRATED ANTENNA
size, equations (4) and (5) were utilized [3] [9]. The size
of metasurface should be less than the λ/2 or λ/4 to create The MTS unit cell modifies the dielectric characteristics
sub-wavelength structure [6]. of materials, including permeability (µ) and permittivity
(ε). When compared to natural materials, this value may
(4) have unusual positive or negative values. So, it may
√
function as a ZRI, HRI, or NRI metasurface [5] [6]. Its
λ= (5) electromagnetic properties, such as ε and µ, are altered as
!" √# a result of the unit cells' sub-wavelength features, which
act as an influence on induced transverse electromagnetic
The rings and the gaps between rings in SRR units waves [5] [6]. When the MTS layer is implanted with an
contributes to generating inductive (L) and capacitive (C) antenna, this behavior of MTS manipulates the properties
effects as a result of the fringing fields and current flow of the antenna and the surrounding environment. When
on the structure that is mentioned in Fig. 2. The overall EM wave propagation is induced on a MTS antenna, this

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 can lead to phase shifting and amplitude modulation of the
wave. Furthermore, the MTS’s sub-wavelength structure
offers the advantage of excellent impedance matching to
the antenna's surroundings, which reduces reflection
losses and maximizes energy transfer by the wave. This
could improve the radiation profile of the antenna [5][6].
The wave characteristics of the designed antenna are
influenced by the interaction between the antenna and the
sub-wavelength structure of metasurface. The incident
electric field produces a voltage across the gap in the
specified metallic ring of metasurface. This voltage causes
a current to circulate around the designed ring. A
magnetic field is created by the ring's circulating current. Fig. 5. Refractive index (n) in the metasurface.
The sub-wavelength structure’s electric and magnetic
responses at 2.4 GHz influence EM waves resonant
behavior through the creation of effective HRI that is +n,
which can change the direction of wave propagation in a
way that is impossible with natural materials, was made
possible by the stored energy's special permeability. The
proximity to these resonant elements of the metasurface
changes the effective permittivity and permeability of the
patch antenna's surrounding area. This affects the
propagation of EM waves generated by the antenna,
which alters the characteristics of the antenna when
energy is supplied by the inset feed-line. Hence, the
antennas' performance is enhanced by MTS layer.

IV. RESULT ANALYSIS Fig. 6. Material properties (ε, µ) of the metasurface.

To design and analyze the antenna and metasurface To analyze the performance of MTS antenna, the S11,
performances, CST studio suite is used. The desired gain, and efficiency (η) of the inset-fed antenna and MTS
resonance frequency for unit cell is 2.4 GHz, thus the integrated antenna are depicted in Figs. 7, 8, and 9
performance parameters were monitored in 2-3 GHz band. respectively. The initial antenna bandwidth is 5.13%.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the S-parameters (S11, S21), After adding the MTS layer, the frequency has slightly
reflective index (n), and dielectric properties respectively. shifted to 2.796 GHz but with a bandwidth of 7.35%. The
Fig. 4 shows that the |S11| is around 0 dB and |S21| is resonant frequency is optimized to 2.4 GHz in the final
around -33 dB at the target frequency of 2.4 GHz. tuned design. After slight tuning of the patch size, the
MTS integrated antenna operates at 2.4 GHz with an
improved bandwidth of 7.97% and |S11| = 21.89 dB at 2.4
GHz which indicates a very good impedance matching.

Fig.4. S11 and S21 parameters of the metasurface unit.

As shown in Fig. 5, the metasurface has high refractive

index (n) of 14.75, so it determines the wave bending in Fig.7. S11 parameter of antenna with and without MTS.
the dielectric medium indicating that the designed
metasurface works as HRI metasurface. From the As shown in Fig. 8, the conventional antenna has 3.03 dB
simulated dielectric properties in Figure 6, the permittivity gain and efficiency of 62%. The realized gain of the MTS
(ε) and permeability (µ) both have positive value of antenna increased to 4.22 dB due to the reflective and
26.095 and 0.23, respectively at 2.4 GHz. wave manipulating natures of the metasurface layer.

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 Approximately 10% improvement on the efficiency is Cross-pol Co-pol
noted in Fig. 9 for the metasurface integrated antenna.

E-plane H-plane

(c) Tuned metasurface MPA

Fig. 10. Radiation patterns of the proposed antenna.
Fig. 8. Gain of the proposed antenna.
Radiation patterns of antenna is visual representation of
the directional dependence of an antenna's radiated power
that can be detected by observing co-polar and cross-polar
radiation components at E-plane and H-plane. Fig. 10
shows the radiation patterns of the MPA and the MTS
integrated antenna at E-plane (x-y plane) and H-plane (y-z
plane). It has been noticed that the proposed metasurface
holds the original antenna’s radiation characteristics stable
but improves the forward radiation by reducing the back
radiation. Thus, the FBR ratio has improved while the
MTS integrated antennas become more focused where the
side-lobe level is lowered from -7.3 dB to -11.6 dB due to
side lobe suppression by the metasurface when integrated
with an antenna. These findings are consistent with the
Fig. 9. Efficiency of the proposed antenna. theory [1][2][7],[11]-[17],[21]-[25], which states that the
EM wave manipulating nature of metasurface layer can
Cross-pol Co-pol result in a positive and better effect on the antenna’s
performance.
This proposed work achieves a reflection co-efficient of
-21.89 dB at 2.4 GHz, which is superior to paper [25]'s
-12 dB and -18 dB at 2 GHz and 4.5 GHz, respectively.
Additionally, at 2.4 GHz, it outperforms paper [24] with a
gain of 4.22 dB as opposed to their gain of 1.3674 dB.
The total dimension of proposed antenna is 0.352 λ0,
while the antenna dimension in paper [20] is 14 λ0.
Compared to the 30% stated in [23], furthermore, this
E-plane H-plane
antenna achieves an aperture efficiency 10% greater. Also
bandwidth went from 123 MHz to 205 MHz, whereas [22]
(a).Conventional MPA and [24] had bandwidths of 183 MHz and 3.16 GHz,
respectively. In comparison to conventional designs, the
Cross-pol Co-pol integration of a metasurface with a microstrip patch
antenna improves gain, bandwidth, efficiency, and
radiation characteristics.

V. CONCLUSION
In this paper, a thorough examination of the use of
metasurface operating at 2.4 GHz and its impact on a
microstrip patch antenna has been reported. The design
process and working mechanism of the resonant elements
of metasurface and how it improves antenna performances
in terms of impedance matching, bandwidth, gain,
E-plane H-plane efficiency, and radiation profiles are discussed. The MTS
(b) MTS-MPA without tuning integrated antenna exhibits superior performances, high

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 FBR with better side lobe suppression than the epsilon negative (ENG) near zero index (NZI) Metasurface for gain
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