Design and Development of Reconfigurable Antenna Using MEMSM

Abstract

In the proposed research work, frequency reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna concept (also called tunable antennas) has been presented. Microstrip patch antennas have been used as these are proved to be suitable structures for various types of reconfigurable antennas. These can be equipped with switches. Upon toggling the switch between on and off states, the antenna can be reconfigured. A square shaped reconfigurable microstrip slot antenna operating in the frequency range of 2.5 to 7 GHz is proposed. It is having one port, excited with microstrip line feed mechanism. A single layer patch antenna with substrate dielectric constant 4.4 (Epoxi glass) and height 1.7 mm is designed with two parallel slots controlled via mems. By making the two switches ON or OFF simultaneously, the resonant frequency is shown altering. The performance parameters of antenna i.e. reflection coefficient, gain etc. are determined. Reconfigurable antennas have been simulated through CST software and fabricated in the microwave laboratory. Developed prototype is measured experimentally in order to validate the reconfigurability basis.