Multifunction patch antennas filled with metamaterial structures

Microstrip patch antennas filled with metamaterial structures are presented. Multiple operation over several frequencies is shown from transmission line model. The proposed antennas present two dipolar modes (similar to the fundamental mode of a conventional microstrip patch antenna) and a monopolar mode (similar to the fundamental mode of a short-circuited patch antenna). The frequency ratio between the modes can be arbitrarily chosen. A prototype is designed to operate simultaneously over several wireless services (GSM-Galileo-UMTS). Size reduction regarding to conventional lambda/2 patches is also achieved.