DESIGN OF MULTIBAND FREQUENCY SELECTIVE

SURFACES

By:
KALEEM ULLAH

Reg. No:11PWELE3985

ABDUL RAHMAN ALI

Reg. No:11PWELE3994

ADNAN

Reg. No:11PWELE3981

Supervised By:
DR. SHAHID BASHIR

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
PESHAWAR

CONTENTS
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................ i
LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................................. iii
LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................... iv
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... v
ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter-1 .............................................................................................................................................. 1
WHAT ARE FREQUENCY SELECTIVE SURFACES? ................................................................ 1
1.1 Introduction: .............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Application of FSS: ................................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Microwaves oven: .............................................................................................................................. 8
1.2.2 Stealth technology: ............................................................................................................................. 9
1.2.3 sub-reflector in multiband antenna: .................................................................................................... 9
1.2.4 Security ............................................................................................................................................. 10
1.2.5 Interference ....................................................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Governing factor of FSS:......................................................................................................................... 11
1.3.1 Geometry of the element: ................................................................................................................. 11
Chapter-2 ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
DESIGNING THE PROPER STRUCTURE ................................................................................... 13
2.1 Dimensions of the element: ..................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Accuracy required: .................................................................................................................................. 14
2.3 The stop band attenuation:....................................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Response to different incident angles: ..................................................................................................... 14
Chapter-3 ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................ 16
3.1 Method of moment: ................................................................................................................................. 16

3.2 Finite Element Method: ........................................................................................................................... 17

3.3 Finite difference time domain method: ................................................................................................... 17
3.4 Equivalent Circuit Method: ..................................................................................................................... 18
3.5 Analytical Parameter Adjustment Method (APAM): .............................................................................. 19
Chapter-4 ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................ 21
4.1 Simulation results: ................................................................................................................................... 21
4.2 Prototype: ...................................................................................................................................... 26
4.2.1 Materials needed for prototype construction: ........................................................................ 26
4.2.2 Procedure for prototype construction: .................................................................................... 27
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 30
BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................................. 31

ii

LIST OF FIGURES
1. Figure 1.1. FSS of cross dipoles elements ................................................................2
2. Figure 1. 2. Some type of conducting elements of FSS sheet...................................4
3. Figure 1.3. Unit cell arrangements for (a) single-strip, (b) double-strip, and (c) triple-strip
FSS element,(d) PWS basis function on a strip element ..........................................5
4. Figure 1.4. Characteristics of PBG unit and periodic sheet regarding reflection phase vs.
frequency...................................................................................................................6
5. Figure 1.5. Fractal triangle with dielectric substrate.................................................7
6. Figure 1.6. The basic four kinds of electromagnetic filter responses based on specific
geometry ...................................................................................................................9
7. Figure 1.7 FSS used in a Multiband antenna as a sub reflector ..............................10

8. Figure 1.8 Most known shapes of elements .............................................................11

9. Figure 1.9 Modified Square Loop of the current research project ...........................12
10. Figure 2.1 Multipath Propagation of the Signals between two rooms .....................15
11. Figure 3.1 Evaluation of Electric fields .................................................................17
12. Figure 4.1 two ports with MSL design in CST ........................................................21
13. Figure 4.2 The normal incident of both TE wave ...................................................22
14. Figure 4.3 Transmission parameters for TM wave at normal incident ...................23
15. Figure 4.4 Transmission parameters for TE wave incident at 30 degrees ..............24
16. Figure 4.5 Transmission parameters for TM wave incident at 30 degree ..............24
17. Figure 4.6 Transmission parameters for TE wave incident at 45 degrees .............25
18. Figure 4.7 Transmission parameters for TM incident at 45 degrees ......................25
19. Figure 4.8 a: Manually printed design on the copper clad FR4 Substrate ..............28
20. Figure 4.8 b: Manually design prototype box ..........................................................29

iii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Element parameters for current project unit cell ...........................................13
Table 3.1 Effect of parameters on resonant frequencies ................................................19

iv

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are very happy on the completion of our final year project. It was a great experience. We
would specially thank our supervisor Dr. Shahid Bashir for his great supervision and
encouragement throughout the project. His guidance led us to the completion of this project.
He never restricts us to explore new ideas. His enthusiasms made us believe that we can do
this and we did it. Thank you again for your great guidance and believing in us.
We also want to thank our parents who throughout our lives looked for us, believed in us and
never let us feel helpless. This success would not be possible without our parents guidance
and help. From class first till graduation our parents cared for us and felt proud of us. We are
so much grateful to have you in our lives. Thank you so much.
We also want to thank the UET PESHAWAR who gave us an opportunity to study in such a
great university and provided us the better and quality education. We are grateful to all
teachers and friends who gave better ideas and helped us during our education career.

ABSTRACT
This thesis shows a novel technique for designing multiband frequency selective surfaces. A
dual stop band for WLAN transmission for security and interference improvement with a
modified square loop is presented as an example of multiband FSSs which gave us
outstanding results regarding the bandwidth of stop band and very little effect of the different
incident angles. The bandwidth of stop band was noted up to 380 MHz (at 2.4 GHz) and 90
MHz (at 5.8 GHz). The methodology and the structure used is very simple and needs no
calculations unlike others which gives us the advantages of saving time to design for any
resonant frequency. The new method used here was developed during simulating different
designs and noting the effect of parameters change on the simulation results. So it was given
the name of Analytical Parameter Adjustment Method (APAM). This method uses only the
information of wavelength of resonant frequency to determine the approximate dimension of
element. Other parameters can be adjusted easily to achieve the resonance at desired
frequencies. The shape of element was chosen to be a modified square loop. Which gave us
the more stop band bandwidth compared to other shapes. The design is tested for incident
waves for different angles. The computer simulation technology (CST) microwaves studio
was used to get the required results.

vi

Chapter-1
WHAT ARE FREQUENCY SELECTIVE SURFACES
1.1 Introduction:
Wireless technologies increasingly pervade our society. Technologies such as cellular
phones, wireless local area networks (WLANs) and Bluetooth devices have brought
mobility and edibility to our everyday lives and open new opportunities to industry.
Use of these wireless technologies has been expanding, especially for wireless
applications in the unlicensed frequency band. For example, WLAN systems have been
widely deployed in commercial and residential houses. However, one important issue
arising from the proliferation of wireless devices in modern communities is that radio
signals may naturally propagate beyond their intended receivers and cause interference
with other users. For instance, for two WLAN systems installed in close proximity,
signals may propagate from one system to another. This is referred to as the
interference between coexisting systems. This kind of interference does not only
degrade the system performance which causes packet losses and throughput reductions
[1], but also the systems security and privacy is compromised. Thats why it is
essential to decrease the interference or to develop techniques that would allow systems
to operate well even in the presence of interference. For this purpose research work has
been done for long time and different kinds of techniques are presented. We study here
the Frequency selective surfaces. Nowadays in the era of new technology we have to
work more and more to design the best of these surfaces to be compatible with modern
technology. As decades ago just simple and a single layer FSS sheets were used to
block or allow a single frequency, so in this era we have to design sheets that can
transmit-in or transmit-out multiple frequencies at same time. For this purpose new
software and technology have been developed to study the characteristics of different
designs to choose the best one for the respective purpose. FSS sheets used in stealth
technology to avoid radar detection and that used in multiband antenna have different
designs.

Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) have been studied and researched for a long time
of over 50 years. With the recent interest in meta-materials it is perhaps time to
consider a current list of applications of FSS and of areas where new engineering
solutions and further research work would be of special value. So how should we
define an FSS? Pedantically, a single FSS should be a thin surface defined by a pattern
of conductor or resistive material on a generally curved surface with some structural
support, commonly a dielectric layer as shown in Figure 1.1

Figure 1.1 FSS of cross dipoles elements

Of course multiple FSS structures may be, and often are, constructed using multiple
dielectric layers and/or FSS embedded within some composite. In addition, an FSS
may also feature non-thin components such as inductors, capacitors, diodes and
transistors which are bonded to the surface. Often these are referred to as circuit
analogue structures. The FSS may feature deliberate loss, as part of a radar absorbing
material, or may be designed to be as lossless as possible. They may be active,
featuring amplification structures, semi-active featuring biased diodes etc. or
completely passive. There may be connecting structures, such as vias, between FSS or
each FSS may be electrically isolated. They may also comprise arrays of fully three
dimensional elements. It soon becomes difficult to decide what to call such structures
and how they fit in with antenna array definitions, two or three dimensional metamaterials, dichoric surfaces, etc.
With time passes the improvement is expected and in todays world of technology we
need to design multiband frequency selective surfaces. Combining many planar FSSs
together, and a dielectric layer in between them, will provide an added degrees of
freedom to design a filter with a desired spectral response. Such filters typically show
several resonances in their spectral responses.

Here two type of geometry are studied, an inductive which behaves as high pass filter
while the other is capacitive which behaves as low pass filter. So at the resonance the
inductive will present us total transmission and similarly the capacitive will present us
the total reflection. Common capacitive FSS are constructed from Periodic rectangular
Patches while inductive FFS from apertures. Metallic patches in rectangular shape
behave same as a capacitive circuit that of metallic apertures behave as inductive
circuit. So now we can define FSSs as surfaces which are the periodically assembled
arrays of certain shape conducting elements supported by dielectric used as filters to
electromagnetic waves. Some of certain shapes elements are shown in Figure 1.2.

Figure1.2. some type of conducting elements of FSS

sheet

The FSSs have the ability to transmit in-band EM waves and reflect out-band EM
waves [2].FSSs are also mostly used to reduce the volume and also to improve the antijamming capability of [3] some multiband electronic system [4]. FSS is also used to
work as sub reflectors in multiband antenna for the satellite communication so that a
single main reflector can share the different frequency bands [5]. To increase the
capabilities of multi-function and multi-frequency antennas, an FSS equipped sub
reflector is required to operate at multi-frequency bands [6]. For this purpose these
multiband FSSs are presented.
Frequency selective surface (FSS) filters [7] also improve the spectrum efficiency of
indoor wireless networks. its minimize eavesdrop by selectively isolating various
frequency bands. As WLAN uses mostly two bands of frequencies i.e. 2.4GHz and
5.8GHz. If both of them exist in an indoor environment, Furthermore, selectively
blocking either one or both of them would be useful.
Multiband FSSs can be obtained by many other techniques. A lot of research has been
done in this field. Some of them we have studied are mentioned.

Multiband FSSs with Multi-ring Patch Elements [8] uses perfectly conducting rings for
resonance frequency. we studied a another type which had multiple strips combined
together. Different kind of reflectance properties and that transmittance properties of
different groups of strips were analyzed which we show in Figure 1.3.

Figure1.3. Unit cell arrangements for (a) single-strip, (b) double-strip, and (c) triple-strip
FSS element,(d) PWS basis function on a strip element
It was shown that for a single strip structure the spectral properties were improved by
making elements in groups. If the length of strips were not equal the resonance
occurred to be in K-band region of frequencies.
In another paper Single-Layer FSS Designed by Genetic Algorithm and GeometryRenement Technique [9] uses Genetic Algorithm to design the conducting element
shapes. In this paper a the optimization-design technique based on the Genetic
Algorithm into which the GRM is used. There is condition of the continuity of
elements. the adjacent conductors touch only at a point, because the GRM removes the
critical points. In this way the FSS can be designed without the point contacts of
conductors.
Realization of a New Kind of Frequency Selective Surface for Multi Band
Operations[10] Uses variation in capacitance, by cutting edge, to achieve multiple

frequency operations. These new AMC surfaces can tune the antenna to work with
different frequencies over a selected band. Instead of changing the physical
components like variable diodes are having the FET components between the patches
of FSS the changing of cuts with movable plates.
Also we studied the multiband artificial conductor which are magnetic in nature and
use FSS having high impedance [11] it use metamaterials to get a tunable multiband
FSS. In this paper the surfaces were designed for any wanted combination of operating
frequencies. Figure 1.4 shows the simulation of the design. in this paper GA
optimization technique was used to design synthesis of multiband AMC surfaces. the

Figure 1.4 Characteristics of PBG unit and periodic sheet regarding reflection phase vs. frequency

geometry and size of the FSS unit cell, as well as the thickness and relative dielectric
constant of the substrate was obtained by using GA. for operation at GPS the optimized
dual and triband were also shown. And also same case is for cellular frequencies.
In another paper a fractal triangle was used to design FSS. The structure is composed
of three regular triangles thats are placed into a larger one and many other nesting

triangle of different lengths and apex angles were placed inside in front of a
dielectric slab as shown in Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5 Fractal triangles with dielectric substrate

The unit cell is composed a combination of fractal triangle elements of different size.
Three different resonant frequencies in a band of 0-20GHz were obtained by
simulation.
Using controllable triband characteristics a design was proposed. [12]. That proposed
design of FSS is composed of a stacked periodic array of square loops and
complementary apertures, respectively centered within a wire grid and an aperture grid,
which can create two transmission zeros and also three transmission poles.
Controllable triband performance is achieved, which allow the FSS to transmit the
signal at 4GHz while reecting the signals at 6 GHz and 9.5 GHz.
Frequency Selective Surface Design for Blinds applications [13]. In this paper, the
reconfigurable blind structure with frequency selective surfaces (FSS) for the building
applications are presented. Frequency transmission characteristics for different angles
of the proposed blind-FSSs are investigated and verified through simulation and
measurement. The simulation results show that we can implement the reconfigurable
blind-FSS for multiband wireless applications.

For the validation of this paper, the simulated FSS structure is fabricated and measured
the transmission characteristics. Even though there are some discrepancies between
simulation and measurement results, the results show the possibilities of reconfigurable
resonant frequency for different angle of blind. Consequently, the applicability of FSS
structure is improved in consideration of more diverse communication environments
using the band adjustments of reflecting specific frequencies according to the different
angles of the FSS structure. Future studies should be performed to get more accurate
results of this study by fabricating the Blind-FSSs structure with higher resonant
frequency.

1.2 Application of FSS:

As present in introduction the FSSs are periodic structures assembled of apertures or
patches that behave like filters to electromagnetic waves. The conducting elements
either apertures or patches are assembled in a periodically repeating array of either in
one or two dimension [14-16]. Geometry of the elements decides the category of the
filter response. Generally there are four kind of filter responses based on the elements
geometry: a low pass, a high pass, a band stop and a band pass.
1.2.1 Microwaves Oven:
The most famous example of FSS is the metal perforated door of microwave oven that
is used for cooking the food. The FSS used in this door is very similar to the high pass
filter shown in Figure 1.6.The doors microwave oven blocks the 2.4 GHz microwaves
and allows the visible light which has very high frequency of 400 THz-700 THz to
pass. In this way the cooking condition is monitored. The door of microwave oven is
transparent by look but the FSSs blocks the internal microwaves

Figure 1.6: The basic four kinds of electromagnetic filter responses based on specific geometry.

not to leave the microwaves oven,

1.2.2 Stealth Technology:

As we all know stealth technology is the most advanced military technology. It gives
the upper hand over the simple planes that can be detected by radar. Stealth technology
uses the FSSs structures to absorb the incoming radiation of radar and do not allow it to
reflect back to the radar. Thats how the radar cant detect the incoming planes.
1.2.3 Sub-reflector in multiband antenna:
FSSs are also used in the multiband antennas as sub reflectors. It reflects the unwanted
microwaves and thus allows only the useful waves and giving the antenna multiband
properties as shown in figure 1.7

Figure 1.7 FSS used in a Multiband antenna as a sub reflector.

1.2.4 Security
FSSs are used to secure the private networks. This application is presented in this thesis
as well. It restricts the WLAN to a specific area i.e building or room. So that outside
that area WLAN cant be reached.
1.2.5 Interference
FSSs are also used to isolate an antenna from interfering with other antennas. The
radiation from other antennas can be blocked by putting the FSSs structure to the
isolated antenna.

10

1.3 Governing factor of FSS:

The FSSs factors can be categorized into four main features i.e the geometry of
element, the conductivity of element, the dielectric substrate on which the elements are
mounted and the incident angle the FSSs faces. Each one is explained in this section.
1.3.1 Geometry of the element:
There is no restriction on the shape of the element. Based on Munk generally there are
four main groups of element geometry.
1) center connected geometry: like cross dipoles, Jerusalem crosses, dipoles, tripoles
etc [17-19]
2) Solid interior types: this kinds of elements are usually apertures and patches such
square meshes and circular patches.[20]
3) Loop types geometry: shapes like rings and square loops [21-23]
4) Combination of the above three: sometimes the geometry of element is deduced
from the first three geometries. Combined two or three geometries to overcome the
defects of the FSSs performance of simple element[24-26]
Some of the most known shapes are illustrated in figure 1.8.

Figure 1.8 most known shapes of elements

11

As we have designed the modified square loop(MSL) in this research the resonance
frequency response is determined by the parameters given as p,h,w and d as illustrated in
figure 1.9.

Figure 1.9 Modified Square Loop of the current research project

The dimension of the MSL d, the separation between elements p the width of cutting
area w, and the height of the cutting area h determines the resonant frequency while the
inter spacing between elements g control the angular stability of the FSSs.

12

Chapter-2

DESIGNING THE PROPER STRUCTURE

As discussed before for the specific resonant frequency the the size of the element and
the structure, the stop band attenuation, the incident angle and the accuracy is
considered to meet the required results.

2.1 Dimensions of the element:

To get the required resonant frequency as we discussed before that the parameters of
element determine the resonant frequency. As in this project we need to block the
2.4GHz and 5.8GHz WLAN transmission. So we noted that by increasing the
dimension d both the resonant frequencies increases and vice versa. Also by increasing
the height the 2.4 GHz remains almost constant while the 5.8 GHz resonance decreases
and vice versa. Similarly by increasing the width w the both resonant frequencies
decrease and vice versa. We adjusted the dimension of the element as given in the table
2.1 given below.
Table 2.1 Element parameters for current project unit cell
Dimension

Units(mm)

Each side of the square ,d

34

Height of the cut area, h

12.6

Width of the cut area, w

6.5

Inter element spacing , g

Thickness of substrate, ts

1.6

Thickness of element, te

0.08

13

2.2 Accuracy required:

As we know the accuracy tolerance in the FSSs for the indoor wireless transmission is
higher than it is for the FSSs for antenna design. In antenna design even one percent of
deviation can affect the performance badly while in indoor wireless system such as
designed in this project there is concession for the accuracy as beside the attenuation
caused by element the signal also is attenuated by walls and other objects. So even if
the simulation does not offer the more accurate analysis of the attenuation it will not
affect the performance significantly. For the WLAN transmission it was noted the 25
dB attenuation is required to block the transmission [27]. The shift in resonance
frequency is not cared about as long as the attenuation level is 25 dB or more. If the
stop band can be achieved more the accuracy will be greater. With more stop band the
shift in resonant frequencies, because of different incident angles, wont cause affect on
the blocking WLAN transmission as long as the transmission level is 25 dB or more.

2.3 The stop band attenuation:

As this project aim is to block the WLAN transmission we need to block the two
WLAN frequencies i.e. 2.4GHz and 5.8 GHz. At these two frequencies the resonance
occurs. At the resonance the FSSs behaves like the metal shield for WLAN
transmission. Theoretically the resonance attenuation is infinite but in practice the
attenuation is finite. However the FSSs can give the required stop band attenuation at
which the transmission is blocked. The minimum level of attenuation which can isolate
the wanted and unwanted transmission is known as minimum stop band attenuation. As
discussed before for the two rooms to be isolated requires 25dB attenuation.

2.4 Response to different incident angles:

Inside the building the signals undergo different reflections due to walls and other
objects in the buildings before it reaches the receiver. So the signals arrive at the FSSs
structure at different incident angles. It is there considered that the design should give
us at least 25 dB attenuation at different incident angles. The signal also loses energy
during reflections. Multipath reflection is the main cause of less energy signal. It is

14

therefore important to consider the incident angles as well as the energy profile. The
profile can be obtained from the radio propagation simulation like study by Singh and
Chinni [28-29].
The Singh and Chinni presented that although the signals can undergo the change in
angles up to 80 degrees. However if the signal undergo one reflection its energy is
decreases by 20 dB. Therefore higher order of reflection is not significant as shown in
Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Multipath Propagation of the signals between two rooms.

15

Chapter-3
METHODOLOGY
Over the past four decades different kinds of techniques for analyzing periodic
structures have been developed such as method of moment (MoM) [30], finite element
method [31], simple analytical equivalent circuit method (EC)[32-33] and the finite
difference time domain method (FDTD) [34-35]. Here in this project we used a novel
method for designing. A totally new idea which needs simple calculation and is time
saving. It was given a name of analytical parameter adjustment method (APAM). The
other methods will briefly be explained before introducing the APAM.

3.1 Method of moment:

It is the most known method used to analyze the FSSs. Different variation has been
developed in the MoM recently but the earlier work was done by Chen [36]. Chens
work is also known as the modal method or integral equation method. The Chens
method evaluates the flow of current on surface of conducting elements. For the
unknown current the tangential field at the surface of element is matched and an
integral equation is formed which finds out the unknown current. In the method of
moment as integral equation is reduced to form small algebraic equations which are
easy to solve.
A periodic greens function is used in MoM. It is computationally expensive to evaluate
greens function and solve the large set of linear equations. An example is given in
Figure 3.1 which show the solution of field scattered from a simple periodic structure.
Using Green's functions, E1;E2;E3 can shown as a function of I1; I2; I3 and the
corresponding distance to the observation point respectively. At the points B and C
Repeating a similar procedure, three simultaneous equations with three unknowns (i.e.
I1; I2; I3) can be achieved which brings up 3x3 matrix to calculate the unknown
current.

16

Figure 3.1 Evaluation of Electric feilds

3.2 Finite Element Method:

To model the field scattered from a periodic structure the FEM is an alternative method
commonly used [37]. It is a numerical method where the unknown fields are
discretised by using the finite mesh of element [38]. Generally for two dimension
problem a triangular element is used while for 3D a tetrahedron is used. It has been
shown through studies that complementation of finite element method with proper
boundary conditions and the method of moment which imposes radiation conditions,
an infinite periodic structure can be analyzed by a hybrid finite element method[39-40].
The FEM is a proper technique to cope with sophisticated shapes and different material
but it needs larger computer resources and is thus computationally intensive.

3.3 Finite difference time domain method:

The above two techniques were time domain while the FDTD method is frequency
domain and thus can cover a larger and wide range of frequencies over a single
simulation run. It is a direct solution for the Maxwells time domain curl equations[41].
Space and time domains are used to discretize the analysis and thus in a leag-frog
manner the equations are solved to update the electromagnetic field within the

17

considered computation domain. By gridding the computational domain the electric

field at a specific point will be updated which depends upon the previous magnetic
field stored on the both sides of the point. Similarly the magnetic field can be updated.
As the process goes on the electric and magnetic fields which are scattered from the
structure or which are within the structure can be determined [41-43].

3.4 Equivalent Circuit Method:

It is a simple method for analysis of FSSs. From analogy with transmission line the
transmission characteristics of FSSs can be determined. The circuit components of the
FSSs are evaluated on quasi-static Equivalent circuit approximation of conducting
strips as inductive or capacitive. Quasi-static EC approximation was presented by
Markowitz [45-46]. The analysis in EC method is limited to simple shape elements and
linear polarization as due to its scalar nature. The accuracy in EC methods vary from
case to case. The incident angle of the signal and the properties of dielectric substrate
are considered in EC method. The EC method offers less precise analysis as compared
to the other techniques.

18

3.5 Analytical Parameter Adjustment Method (APAM):

All of the above techniques are computationally expensive and takes time to analyze an
FSS. Over and over experimentation brought us to a new technique for loop type
geometry. This new method of APAM for analyzing the FSSs parameters is very
simple and interesting. In APAM the dimension of the element is taken such that the
one forth part of the wavelength of the resonant frequency approximates the dimension
of square loop. Then the width and height can be adjusted by the check and simulate
process. As from simulation it is noted that when we decrease dimension d, the two
resonant frequencies (in case of this project) also shift to lower frequencies and vice
versa. If we decrease the height of the cut area the lower resonant (2.4 GHz) remain
approximately constant while the higher resonant frequency (5.8 GHz) shifts to higher
frequency significantly. Similarly if we decrease the width of the cut area both of the
resonant frequencies shift to higher frequencies. Also here the shift is significant.
This project aim is to provide at least 25 dB stop band attenuation to a dual band
transmission i.e. 2.4GHz and 5.8 GHz. First 2.4 GHz frequency is taken. The
wavelength of 2.4GHz frequency is 125mm. One forth of 125mm is 31.25. So first the
dimension d is taken to be 31.25mm. Then half the d which approximates 15 is taken
as h. and half the h which approximates 7 is taken w. after the simulation we change
the parameter according to the shift of resonant frequencies as discussed above. The
table for parameter vs. resonant frequencies is shown below.
Table 3.1: Effect of parameters on resonant frequencies
parameters

action

Resonant f1 2.4GHz

Resonant f2 5.8 GHz

Dimension, d

Decreas

A small Shift to lower

Height of cut area, h

decrease

frequency

small

shift

to

lower frequency

Remains almost constant

A big shift to higher

frequency

Width of cut area, w

decrease

big

shift

frequency

19

to

higher

A big shift to higher

frequency

So looking at the behavior of parameter change Vs the resonant frequencies we can easily
adjust the parameter to the required resonant frequencies without any brainstorming
computations. During the experiment it was noted that the time needed for other
techniques was more than this method. So this method was preferred to be used in our
research project.

20

Chapter-4
RESULTS
After taking everything into consideration finally the unit cell design was obtained with
parameter given in table 3.1. the results were categorized into two type, simulation
results and implementation results.

4.1 Simulation results:

The software used for simulation results is Computer Simulation Technology (CST)
Microwaves studio. The units used were mm for dimensions, GHz for frequency, dB
for attenuation and degree for angle. The design was created and simulated in CST to
find out the S parameters. Two ports names Zmin and Zmax were placed as excitation
sources to excite the FSS structure and observed the transmission on the other side of
FSS structure as shown in Figure

Figure 4.1 two ports with MSL design in CST

21

Different angles were considered for simulation due to the reflection of signals and
coming at different angles at FSS structure. Some of the s parameter results for
different angles are given below.
A. Normal signal incident:
For normal incident angle of signal the unit cell resonated at exactly 2.4 GHz and 5.8
GHz. The boundary conditions were placed on unit cell. The Zmin and Zmax were
placed to measure the transmission characteristic. The incident angle was considered
from 0 to 45 degrees because beyond 45 degrees the energy of signal lowers
significantly. We first simulated the design with normal incident signal which exactly
simulated at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. The Figure 4.2 Shows the normal incident signal
simulation.

Figure 4.2: the normal incident of both TE wave.

As we can see from the Figure 4.2 the first resonance occur at 2.48 which the exact
resonant frequency for WLAN 2.4 GHz. At this resonance the attenuation is -43.46 dB
which is more than the required one. The second resonance occurs at 5.808 which is
the resonant frequency for the WLAN 5.8 GHz. As for higher WLAN a little
attenuation is required so the attenuation level at 5.8 GHz is -26.89 dB which is more
than the required attenuation. So for the normal incident the design is fully successful
and the WLAN transmission at the both resonant frequency will be totally block. The

22

transmission parameter for both TE and TM at normal incident is same. TM incident

signal simulation result is shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3 Transmission parameter for TM waves incident at normal.

B. Signal incident at 30 degrees: The design presented in this is very insensitive to the
incident angle change. Even the when the angle changes from zero to 30 degrees the
bandwidth of stop band at 2.4GHz is still 380 MHz which is an outstanding result. It
was noted that even the resonant frequencies experience a small shift at 30 degrees
incident wave, the attenuation level is still more than 25 dB which will definitely be
help for blocking the transmission. Also after first order reflection the energy of the
signal decreases by 20 dB. The simulation result of TE incident signal at 30 degrees is
shown in Figure 4.4.

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Figure 4.4 Transmission parameter for TE waves incident at 30 degrees.

At 30 degrees incident the TM waves resonates the structure a bit different from the TE
waves. The 5.8 GHz resonant frequency is shift to higher frequency but still the
attenuation level is enough to the 5.8 GHz at 30 degrees. For TM waves at 30 degrees
the simulation result is shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5 Transmission parameter for TM wave incident at 30 degrees .

24

Similarly at 45 degrees the attenuation level is again more than 25 dB at 2.4 GHz but
decrease at 5.8 GHz. The Figure 4.6 shows the incident TE wave at 45 degrees.

Figure 4.6 Transmission parameters for TE wave incident at 45 degrees.

The simulation results for TM waves shows a better result than the TE waves. For the
45 degrees the TM waves gives us a smooth and in level simulation results which
satisfies the required criteria. TM waves incident at 45 degrees is shown in figure 4.7.

Figure 4.7 Transmission parameters for TM waves incident at 45 degrees

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4.2 Prototype:
A rough design was manually produced at as a prototype for the project design. This
prototype verified the results of our software design. The prototype was checked for the
WLAN transmission at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz and it blocked the WLAN transmission
completely while allowing the GSM signals to pass through. The prototype designing
procedure and the practical experiment details are given below.

4.2.1 Materials needed for prototype construction:

We used the following materials step by step for construct the required prototype for the
verification of simulation results.
a) Copper clad FR4 substrate sheets:
We used 12x6 inches copper clad FR4 sheets to make the prototype. The thickness of the
sheet was taken to be 1.6 mm as used in the simulation.
b) Isopropanol 99%:
Isopropanol is used for cleaning the copper clad FR4 substrate. The greasing level is
removed by using Isopropanol.
c) Ferric chloride:
It is used to etching the copper from the copper clad FR4 substrate. It is also known as
iron chloride.
d) Acetone:
It is used to remove the printed design surface after etching.
e) Photopaper:
The design is printed on photopaper using laser technology.
f) Iron:
The design on photopaper is printed on copper clad FR4 substrate by pressing through
iron.

26

g) super glue:
The building shape box is made up from the printed FSS structures using super glue.

4.2.2 Procedure for prototype construction:

As according to the software the copper clad Fr4 substrate was used to for practical
design. First the unit cell design was printed on photo paper using laser printing. As the
copper clad FR4 comes with a greasing layer upon it for copper safety we had to
remove the greasing layer so that the printed design can stick to the copper. For that
purpose the copper clad FR4 was cleaned with Isopropanol 99 % to degrease the
copper layer. After degreasing the copper clad the design printed on photo paper was
printed on FR4 substrate by putting the printed photo paper on substrate and then
pressing by
iron for about 1 to 2 minutes. After that the FR4 sheet was placed in water for sometime
so that the photo paper can be removed easily with disturbing the design screen to FR4
sheet. Once the design came on the copper clad the copper under the design is covered
with carbon from the photo paper. After that The printed FR4 was placed in ferric
chloride solution for about 10 minutes to etch the unwanted copper on the substrate.
The copper required for the design will not be etched as it is covered with carbon. Only
the extra copper which is exposed to the ferric chloride solution was etched. After
removing the copper the substrate was cleaned with acetone, removing the carbon
above the copper to bring up the design surface containing copper that was covered by
the printed area. At last the sheet was cleaned with water that gave us the clean view of
the design screen to the FR4 substrate. That give us the one sheet we need for the cube
box. We did the same procedure to make the other five sheets required. Using the super
glue we arranged all the six structures in a cube shape so that to be resembled as a
building. The design printed sheet and a rough prototype design manually constructed
are given in Figure 4.8 a and Figure 4.8 b respectively.

27

Figure 4.8 a: Manually printed design on the copper clad FR4 Substrate.

28

Figure 4.8 b: Manually constructed Prototype box

29

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that multiband frequency selective surfaces can be designed using

repetitive structures. The resonance, stop band bandwidth, attenuation, sensitivity at
different angles and accuracy purely depends upon the size, shape and inter element
spacing. By varying the dimension, shape and inter element spacing the results are
changed. We noticed that small size unit cells stick closely together will give better
results than larger size openly place elements in an aperture. We also noticed that
design sandwiched between substrates give better incident angle insensitivity than a
single side one. So to design a perfect FSS with larger stop band bandwidth and better
resonance characteristics at different incident angle the FSSs structure should be
composed of small size elements, closely placed together with on either side the
substrate.

30

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