Analysis and experimental characterization of an alumina woodpile-covered planar antenna

The reflection scattering parameter, the gain, and the radiation pattern in the E- and H-planes, have been measured for a woodpile-covered patch, with the superstrate at different distances from the antenna. The main effect of the EBG on the antenna performances is an enhancement of about 10 dB in maximum gain. Experimental results are also presented for the transmission properties of woodpile cavities, and a comparison is reported with the Fourier Modal Method.