Patent attributes
A microstrip patch antenna utilizes a microstrip patch antenna substrate formed of photonic bandgap material. One or more periodic patterns may be used therewith to produce multiple bandgaps into the photonic bandgap material. The periodic patterns may be produced by introducing periodic defects into the dielectric material substrate with drilled holes, slots, shorted vias, blind vias, buried vias, and/or plated or unplated patterns, such as plated patterns on the groundplane or on internally positioned surfaces, or on the surface adjacent the radiating elements. One or more radiating elements are used on an upper surface of said microstrip patch antenna substrate, and a groundplane is formed on a lower surface of said microstrip patch antenna substrate.