This paper presents the performance of small antennas embedded within a new class of photonic crystals. A new crystal referred to as degenerate band edge (DBE) is introduced. This crystal provides for better transmittance with concurrent amplitude increase when the operational frequency is very close to the forbidden gaps. In this paper, we demonstrate how small antennas become highly directive when placed in the DBE crystals. We also investigate possible endfire array configurations inside the DBE crystals to enhance power reception and pattern narrowing.
