Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna with Switchable Polarization

Abstract

A reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna with switchable polarization is proposed in this paper. The proposed antenna consists of a nearly square patch as a radiator truncated at two corners, two small parasitic patches are connected at the corners by using PIN diodes. The impedance bandwidth and axial ratio bandwidth are enhanced by changing the shape of the truncated corners. Good impedance match (S11 < −10 dB) and axial ratio (AR < 3 dB) are achieved at the operating frequency (5.15 GHz). The measured results are well matched with the simulated results and validated the switching operation of the antenna in three polarization states, i.e. left-hand circular polarization, linear polarization, and right-hand circular polarization. The proposed antenna is also tested at high RF power and measured its performance. The proposed antennas are suitable for WI-FI and WLAN applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Axial ratio
• Circular polarization
• Microstrip patch antenna
• PIN diodes
• Reconfigurability
• Truncated corner

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rajesh K. Singh

Rajesh K Singh received BTech degree in electronics and communication engineering from Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow in 2010 and MTech degree in microwave electronics from Delhi University South Campus, Delhi in 2013. He joined Bharti School of Telecommunication Technology and Management, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India in 2013 as full-time PhD candidate. His main areas of interest are reconfigurable planar antennas, microwave integrated circuits, and active integrated antennas.

Ananjan Basu

Ananjan Basu was born 12 August 1969. He received the BTech degree in electrical engineering and MTech degree in communication and radar engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), in 1991 and 1993, respectively, and the PhD degree in electrical engineering from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), in 1998. He has been with the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics, IIT Delhi, as an Assistant Professor (2000–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2012) and Professor (since 2012). His specialization is in microwave and millimeter-wave component design and characterization. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Shiban K. Koul

Shiban K Koul (S’81, M’83, SM’91, F10’) received BE degree in electrical engineering from the Regional Engineering College, Srinagar in 1977 and MTech and PhD degrees in microwave engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India in 1979 and 1983, respectively. He is a Chairman of M/S Astra Microwave Pvt. Ltd., where he is involved in the development of RF and microwave systems in India. He is currently a Dr R P Shenoy, Astra Microwave Chair Professor with CARE, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and a Deputy Director (Strategy & Planning, International Affairs, and Research) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, India. He has authored or co-authored 340 Research Papers and 8 state-of-the art books and 3 book Chapters. He has successfully completed 34 major sponsored projects, 52 consultancy projects, and 48 Technology Development Projects, and holds 9 patents and 6 copyrights. His current research interests include RF MEMS, nonlinear device modeling, microwave, and millimeter wave active and passive circuit design, and reconfigurable microwave circuits including antennas. He is Chairman of M/S Astra Microwave Pvt. Ltd, a major private company involved in the Development of RF and Microwave systems in India. Prof Koul is a Fellow of the IEEE, USA, Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) India and Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) India, He has received a Gold Medal from the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Calcutta (1977); Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Young Scientist Award (1986); International Union of Radio Science (URSI) Young Scientist Award (1987); the top Invention Award (1991) of the National Research Development Council for his contributions to the indigenous development of ferrite phase shifter technology; VASVIK Award (1994) for the development of Ka- band components and phase shifters; Ram Lal Wadhwa Gold Medal (1995) from the Institution of Electronics and Communication Engineers (IETE); Academic Excellence Award (1998) from the Indian Government for his pioneering contributions to phase control modules for the Rajendra Radar, Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award (2009) in the field of Electronics and Information Technology, Teaching Excellence Award (2012) from IIT Delhi, Award for Special recognition of Contributions made to the growth of Smart Materials Technology(2012), by the Institute of Smart Materials and Systems (ISSS) Bangalore, VASVIK Award (2012) for contributions to the area of Information, communication technology, MN Saha Memorial Award (2013) for the best application oriented paper from the Institution of Electronics and Communication Engineers (IETE), and Distinguished Educator Award (2014) from IEEE MTT-S Society. Prof Koul served as a distinguished IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Lecturer for the years 2012–2014 and distinguished microwave lecturer emeritus for the year 2015. He is an elected AdCom member of the IEEE MTT-S society since 2010. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]