Analysis of a tuneable NZRI metamaterial unit cell for satellite applications

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a new single negative metamaterial (MTM) unit cell structure with low profile of 6.2 × 6.2 m2 is proposed. The unit cell shows near zero refractive index (NZRI) characteristics in C, X and Ku bands whereas epsilon negative index (ENG) in Ku-Band frequency. The properties of the proposed MTM unit cell are analysed with the Rogers 5880 substrate which displays low permittivity. To verify the effectiveness of the split ring resonators (SRR) as a metamaterial, a comparison of the unit cell properties in 2 × 3 array structures is created. Besides low profile, tunability performance is shown in the proposed design by adjust the central strip line width of the proposed metamaterial whereas the frequency resonance can be shifted and controlled accordingly. Using commercially available CST software, the reflection (S11) and transmission (S12) parameters of the unit cell are determined. The proposed MTM unit cell can be potentially used in many applications including satellite communication systems.