Properties of small gap-loaded patch antenna with fast-wave behaviours.

A compact patch antenna periodically loaded by air gaps is presented. The gaps are arranged to create EBG cells, which affect the dispersivebehaviours of the patch (as a transmission line). This causes waves totravel faster along the patch, and increases the cumulative radiationfrom the structure. The proposed antenna is compared with its conventional counterpart, considering the efficiency, electrical/physical sizeand the potential to achieve an electrically small footprint. Experimental results validate the analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]