Cross coupled interlinked split ring resonator based epsilon negative metamaterial with high effective medium ratio for multiband satellite and radar communications

•A novel cross coupled interlinked split ring resonator (CCI-SRR) based epsilon negative (ENG) metamaterial has been designed for multi band microwave applications.•The unique symmetric structure of CCI-SRR provides three resonances at C, X and Ku-bands. Due to symmetric nature, the array of unit cells is less prone to harmonics and noise.•The permittivity, permeability, refractive index and impedance have been extracted by using the NRW method. Metamaterial exhibits negative permittivity and near zero refractive index.•The interaction of electromagnetic wave between ENG and double positive media is investigated where ENG media shows evanescent wave properties.•Symmetric structure, small size, negative permittivity, near-zero refractive index and high EMR make this metamaterial suitable for devices used in Radar and Satellite communications. In this paper, a cross coupled interlinked split ring resonator based (CCI-SRR) based metamaterial has been presented. Epsilon negative (ENG) with a highly effective medium ratio (EMR) is attained in this metamaterial. The metamaterial unit cell consists of one square shaped split ring resonator and two rectangular rings. The rectangular rings reside within the outer square split ring. Two internal rings are coupled together by using a cross-shaped metal segment. These inner rings are also interlinked to the outer ring by using metal strips. Coupling causes to increase the electrical length and modifies the inductance of the unit cell. Multiple resonances covering C, X and Ku-band are achieved due to the interconnection of rings. The symmetric nature of the CCI-SRR unit cell exhibits unique quality to minimize noise and harmonics effect. The unit cell is designed on FR4 substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm. The overall dimension of the unit cell is 0.124λ × 0.124λ, where λ is the wavelength calculated at a lower resonance frequency of 4.15 GHz. Three resonances are obtained for |S21| at frequencies of 4.15 GHz, 10.38 GHz and 14.93 GHz performing numerical simulation in CST microwave studio. Permittivity, permeability, refractive index and impedance are explored by using the Newton-Ross-Weir (NRW) method. ENG performance is observed in frequencies ranging from 3.95 to 5.65 GHz, 9.57–11.46 GHz, 13.68–16 GHz. Near-zero refractive index is attained within the frequency ranges, 4.16–5.75 GHz, 10.16–11.58 GHz, 14.46–16 GHz. An LC equivalent circuit is designed, and component values are achieved by Advanced Design Software (A