Advances in reflectarrays and array lenses with electronic beam-forming capabilities are enabling a host of new possibilities for these high-performance, low-cost antenna architectures. This paper reviews enabling technologies and topologies of reconfigurable reflectarray and array lens designs, and surveys a range of experimental implementations and achievements that have been made in this area in recent years. The paper describes the fundamental design approaches employed in realizing reconfigurable designs, and explores advanced capabilities of these nascent architectures, such as multi-band operation, polarization manipulation, frequency agility, and amplification. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing future challenges and possibilities for these antennas.

Reconfigurable Reflectarrays and Array Lenses for Dynamic Antenna Beam Control: A Review

Dual-frequency patch antennas may provide an alternative to large-bandwidth planar antennas, in applications in which large bandwidth is really needed for operating at two separate transmit-receive bands. When the two operating frequencies are far apart, a dual-frequency patch structure can be conceived to avoid the use of separate antennas. In this paper, a critical overview of possible solutions for dual-frequency patch antennas is presented, and future perspectives are outlined. Geometries are discussed in particular.

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Dual-frequency patch antennas

The electromagnetic properties of electrically thick rectangular microstrip antennas were investigated experimentally. Antennas were fabricated with different patch sizes and with electrical thicknesses ranging from 0.03 to 0.23 wavelengths in the dielectric substrate. The resonant frequencies were measured and compared to existing formulas. The bandwidth was calculated as a function of electrical thickness and the antenna radiation patterns were measured.

An experimental investigation of electrically thick rectangular microstrip antennas

This work describes the integration of commercially available packaged radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) switches with radiation pattern reconfigurable microstrip antennas. Most applications of RF MEMS switches consider the switches as only circuit elements. In contrast, the implementation of packaged switches in this particular antenna must address not only the simple open/closed behavior of the switches but also their impact on the radiation characteristics of the reconfigurable antenna. Here, two Radant MEMS single-pole single throw (SPST) SPST-RMSW100 (packaged RF MEMS) switches are used to reconfigure the radiation patterns of a resonant square spiral microstrip antenna between endfire and broadside over a common impedance bandwidth. Switch insertion, matching network design, and other issues are addressed. Results for both simulated and measured antennas, as well as recommendations for future work in this area, are provided.

Integration of packaged RF MEMS switches with radiation pattern reconfigurable square spiral microstrip antennas

Electrically small microstrip patches incorporating shorting posts are thoroughly investigated. These antennas are suitable for mobile communications handsets where limited antenna size is a premium. Techniques to enhance the bandwidth of these antennas are presented and performance trends are established. From these trends, valuable insight to the optimum design, namely broad bandwidth, small size, and ease of manufacturing, is given.

Design and performance of small printed antennas

A technique is investigated for controlling the operating frequency and polarization of microstrip antennas. The control is achieved by placing shorting posts at appropriate locations within the antenna's boundaries. By changing the number and locations of the posts, the operating frequency can be tuned over a 1.5-to-1 range, and the polarization can be changed from horizontal to vertical, right-hand circular, or left-hand circular. All of these changes are obtained without significantly altering the input impedance or radiation patterns of the antenna and without increasing the complexity of the external microwave feed network. The frequency and polarization can be electronically controlled by using microwave switching diodes for the shorting posts. Antennas that have two feeds and operate simultaneously in two orthogonal polarizations have been constructed with the capability to switch between linear and circular polarization. Also, a thin frequency-scanned array has been built with the frequency-agile microstrip elements.

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Microstrip antennas with frequency agility and polarization diversity

An inexpensive, flush mounted microstrip antenna which is frequency agile d has polarization diversity. The frequency and polarization of the antenna can be selected by selecting the location of shorting posts in the antenna. The use of switching diodes in place of shorting posts provides the means of electronically switching the frequency and polarization characteristics of the antenna. Frequency-agility provides frequency scannable microstrip antenna arrays which also have polarization diversity. Frequency-agility, polarization diversity and frequency scannable arrays are controllable by digital means such as a computer.

Frequency-agile, polarization diverse microstrip antennas and frequency scanned arrays

Frequency agile microstrip antennas

An electrically small, microstrip radiator designed for small-diameter mile applications. The preferred embodiment comprises a cylindrical tube of epoxy fiberglass dielectric having a spiral conducting strip formed thereon. The tubular construction permits the antenna to be conformally mounted to the surface of the missile. RF input coupling may be achieved by an inductive post, and high radiation efficiency is obtained by strongly coupling RF currents to the body of the missile and exciting the dipolar mode of radiation. The design includes means for mechanically tuning the antenna over a narrow frequency range. The resultant spiral-slot antenna produces an axially polarized radiation field and a dipole radiation pattern with isotropic gain in a low cost and rugged construction.

Conformal spiral antenna

A microstrip array antenna, including spaced radiator elements supplied w microwave power and separated from an underlying ground reference plane by a layer of dielectric material, in which the antenna beam is phase scanned by periodically closing switching devices connected between the reference plane and at least one null point of each radiator element. In one embodiment, the radiator elements are identical rectangular patches disposed along a path, each patch having a length parallel to the path of one-half wavelength and a width transverse to the path not exceeding one wavelength in the underlying dielectric material at the antenna operating frequency. The patches are connected in series to receive microwave power by conductive strip elements whose widths are selected to effect a desired distribution of radiated microwave power from the patches.

Arthur R. Sindoris

Papers

Microstrip antennas with frequency agility and polarization diversity

Frequency-agile, polarization diverse microstrip antennas and frequency scanned arrays

Frequency agile microstrip antennas

Conformal spiral antenna

Phase scanned microstrip array antenna