Broadband resonant-type metamaterial transmission lines

In this letter, it is shown that, contrary to previous assumptions, the broadband characteristics of metamaterial transmission lines are not exclusive of the so called CL loaded composite right/left handed (CRLH) structures. In the balance condition, the typical frequency gap between the left handed (LH) and right handed (RH) transmission bands of these CRLH lines collapses, the characteristic impedance varies smoothly in the vicinity of the transition frequency, and broadband response results. However, through an appropriate design, similar behavior can be obtained in resonant type metamaterial transmission lines, namely transmission lines loaded with complementary split rings resonators. A detailed analysis of the structures, based on the equivalent circuit model is provided, and implications of balancing are pointed out. In this letter, it is clearly demonstrated that broadband balanced CRLH lines can also be implemented by means of the resonant type approach.