Reconfigurable antenna system for wireless applications

Abstract

Nowadays wireless applications are widespread, and the demand for smart antenna technology grows exponentially. Although there are a large variety of effective algorithms to control antennas, they lack in the requirements of the next generation smart devices for industrial and societal applications which demand integration in compact, low cost and low power architectures. In this work we present a Wi-Fi device coupled with an antenna, where the receiver is able to adapt to a changing signal environment by providing a constant and reliable connectivity. Design criterion follows a strong low power approach, single front-end USB powered connected to an embedded low energy consumption platform. In addition, we come up in a low cost solution that does not require any external hardware. Decoding and antenna control algorithm are software-defined, while antenna beam steering is obtained by means of varactor diodes, voltage biased, used in a suitable way through hybrid couplers in phase shift configuration.