MEMS reconfigurable antennas

Abstract

() ABSTRACT: New architectures for microelectromechanical system MEMS reconfigurable Vee-antennas and RF switches are presented. The planar antenna structure can be dynamically reconfigured to steer the radiation beam or change the shape of the beam using electrically-controlled microactuators. The radiation patterns and antenna impedance were investigated with a 17.5 GHz MEMS Vee-antenna for proof-of-concept. The beam steering and shaping capabilities have been demonstrated. A derrick-type RF switch, suitable for T r r r r r R module applications, was also investigated. The derrick-type switches have potentials to provide high isolation and low insertion losses.

Investigation of sidelobe level performance in phased arrays with pattern reconfigurable elements

“…In general, the properties of many fixed and reconfigurable antenna designs will have properties similar to one of these three pattern shapes: broadside (e.g., [1][2][3][4]), endfire (e.g., [1][2][3]), and tilted (e.g., [3][4][5]). In this particular case, the calculations in this work are limited to the broadside and tilted pattern configurations.…”

“…Previous investigations, e.g., [1][2][3][4][5], have begun to examine the capabilities of elements and arrays with elements that can be configured with broadside, endfire, and/or tilted radiation patterns, but much is left to be understood about the capabilities and limitations of these antennas in arrays. The present work focuses on the effects of reconfigurability between broadside and tilted patterns at each array element on the sidelobe performance of linear phased arrays.…”

Exploration of Amplitude Tapering in Linear Phased Arrays with Pattern-Reconfigurable Elements

“…A phased array composed of individual pattern-reconfigurable antenna elements possesses a third degree of freedom that may enhance or expand array performance. Prior investigations, for example, Chiao et al (2001), Hietpas et al (2004), Zhang et al (2004Zhang et al ( , 2005, and Bernhard (2004, 2006), have begun to examine the capabilities of elements and arrays that contain radiation reconfigurable elements that deliver broadside, endfire, and/or tilted radiation patterns. However, questions remain about the capabilities and limitations of these antennas in arrays.…”

A frequency reconfigurable antenna for multiband mobile handset applications

“…Although 3-D antennas can be further compressed to be 2-D structures by coupled-feed techniques, 5,6 they still occupy a very large clearance zone. To reduce the size of the antennas and still ensure they can cover a wide operating band, the frequency-reconfigurable technology based on different tuning methods is studied, 7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] which has been validated to be one of the most effective ways in minimizing antenna designs. Instead of adding the extra structures, the antennas mainly control the electrical length of the current path by independently adjusting the states of the switches located in the radiating elements in real time.…”

“…Various switching technologies such as radiofrequency micro-electro-mechanical systems (RF-MEMS) switches, 7 variable capacitance switches, 7,8 varactor diodes, 9,10 and PIN diodes [11][12][13][14][15] are used to design the frequency-reconfigurable antennas. Among them, the PIN diodes are particularly well suited for integration in current portable electronic devices owing to its simple design, small size, and economic cost.…”