Investigation of the effect of circular split ring resonator metamaterials on antenna gain

Metamaterials are artificial structures with negative permittivity and permeability. It is preferred in many different areas in the Radio Frequency industry. In line with the modeling made, designs with different characteristics emerge. In this thesis study, a microstrip antenna operating at 8 GHz center frequency was designed by numerical calculation in the first stage. FR-4 material was preferred as the dielectric material in the design. Afterwards, the desired design was completed with optimization studies. With the completion of the microstrip antenna design, the Circular Split Ring Resonator design, which is also preferred in antenna applications, was made in the next stage. This design has negative permittivity and permeability in the frequency range of 7.7 GHz - 8.3 GHz. FR-4 dielectric material is used in the Circular Split Ring Resonator structure, as in the microstrip antenna design. With the metamaterial design, a 6×7 structure was created and analyzed with a distance of 6 mm from the microstrip antenna. Ground plane optimization was performed on 6×7 structure, which also reflects the unique aspect of the project. With the optimization, the highest antenna gain was achieved by adding 2.5 mm long copper structures. As a result of the optimization and analysis, the gain of the microstrip antenna increased from approximately 2.04 dBi to 3.02 dBi. The analysis and optimization studies were carried out using the CST Microwave Studio program. With these design and optimization studies, the effect of using metamaterial and ground plane structures on antenna parameters such as return loss, standing wave ratio, gain and radiation pattern of the microstrip antenna was analyzed. In the literature, there are studies on the effects of many metamaterial structures on antenna applications. In the research conducted, there is no additional study on the effect of the ground plane in the metamaterial structure on the antenna gain. However, with this thesis study, it has been stated that antenna gain can be increased by ensuring ground plane optimization in antenna applications of metamaterials. It is thought that studies on antenna designs will continue to increase, especially with technological developments. It is anticipated that this thesis will make a significant contribution to future metamaterial and antenna designs.