Reconfigurable Antennas: Switching Techniques—A Survey

Abstract

Due to the fast development of wireless communication technology, reconfigurable antennas with multimode and cognitive radio operation in modern wireless applications with a high-data rate have drawn very close attention from researchers. Reconfigurable antennas can provide various functions in operating frequency, beam pattern, polarization, etc. The dynamic tuning can be achieved by manipulating a certain switching mechanism through controlling electronic, mechanical, physical or optical switches. Among them, electronic switches are the most popular in constituting reconfigurable antennas due to their efficiency, reliability and ease of integrating with microwave circuitry. In this paper, we review different implementation techniques for reconfigurable antennas. Different types of effective implementation techniques have been investigated to be used in various wireless communication systems such as satellite, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), mobile terminals and cognitive radio communications. Characteristics and fundamental properties of the reconfigurable antennas are investigated. writing-review and editing, N.O.P. and R.A.A.-A.; investigation, N.O.P., H.J.B., Y.I.A.A.-Y. and A.M.A.; resources, N.O.P. and R.A.A.-A.; for other cases, all authors have participated. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

A Compact Dual Asymmetric L-Slot Frequency Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna

“…The reconfiguration techniques are categorized as electrical, photoconductive or optical, mechanical or physical reconfiguration and reconfiguration using tunable smart materials [5,6]. In electrical reconfiguration method, solid state switching devices such as PIN diode, RF-MEMS, and varactors are integrated in the antenna structure to alter the current distribution or field arrangement in the radiating element.…”

Electromagnetic Control by Actuating Kirigami-Inspired Shape Memory Alloy: Thermally Reconfigurable Antenna application

“…Electromagnetic control can be achieved using electrical, optical, or magnetic methods [7,8]. An electrical component, such as pin [1][2][3][4][5][6] or varactor [6,9,10] diodes, have been widely employed to switch and control RF component operation.…”

“…Electromagnetic control can also be achieved mechanically, modifying RF characteristics by mechanical transformation targeting parameters that affect RF properties [7,8]. Mechanical systems (using actuators, motors, etc.…”

Recent Developments and State of the Art in Flexible and Conformal Reconfigurable Antennas

“…Figure 1 presents the existing reconfiguration techniques, which include: the PIN diode, the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch, the varactor from the electrical category, the microfluidic-based method and the origami-based antenna. The photoconductive switch is made of semiconductor materials and uses bias lines instead of metallic wires [9]. The reason for not having a flexible reconfigurable structure with this switch is because of the challenges of integrating it with unconventional and flexible materials.…”