A compact multi-band printed dipole antenna loaded with reactive elements is proposed. The reactive loading of the
dipole is inspired by the Epsilon – negative (ENG) and double negative metamaterial inclusions, which enable the loaded dipole to
operate in multi-band. The reactive loads are realised by two rake-shaped split ring resonators facing each other. Investigations
reveal that the loaded dipole radiates at two or three separated bands depending on symmetrical or asymmetrical loading and load
locations. The new resonance frequencies are lower than the natural resonance frequency of the conventional half-wavelength
dipole. In this range of frequencies, the radiation efficiency of the composite antenna is high. In order to validate the
simulation results, a prototype of the proposed printed dipole is fabricated and tested. The agreement between the simulated
and measured results is quite good.
