A Compact Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Utilizing Multiple Monopoles

Authors: Jerzy Kowalewski, Jonathan Mayer, Tobias Mahler, and Thomas Zwick

Source: FERMAT, Volume 16, Communication 11, Jul.-Aug., 2016


Abstract: This presentation shows a reconfigurable antenna for optimal radiation patterns used for automotive urban scenarios. The antenna is designed to enlarge channel capacity through radiation in the best subchannels. The information about the channel is obtained from a simulation. Presented antenna is composed of two serially fed monopoles placed on one substrate. The pattern is switched by changing the phase of the feeding signal. Thus, two patterns are obtained, whereby the first is in and opposite to the driving direction and the second is shifted by 90° in azimuth, thus orthogonal to the driving direction. The frequency of operation is chosen to be 2.45 GHz. Two prototypes of the antenna, one utilizing p-i-n diodes and one using MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical switch) as switching elements have been fabricated and measured. The antenna achieves maximum gain of about 5 dBi. Furthermore it is observed that only slight improvement is achieved if MEMS are used instead of p-i-n diodes.

Index Terms: reconfigurable, automotive, MEMS, p-i-n diode.


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A Compact Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Utilizing Multiple Monopoles