Gain enhanced mmWave pattern reconfigurable Quasi angled dipole with minimal DNG loading

A pattern reconfigurable uniplanar quasi dipole antenna with a pattern bandwidth of 10% for both the switching states is proposed at 28 GHz. Due to low gain of the proposed element, metamaterial unit cells are integrated onto the radiating plane of the antenna. The unit cell is designed for optimal patterns. Gain enhancement of the proposed pattern reconfigurable quasi angled dipole is achieved in end-fire by minimal loading of the DNG unit cells to improve isolation between the switching states. Two switching states of the antenna is achieved with beams at −24° and +26° and corresponding beamwidths of 38° and 40° with an isolation of more than 10 dB between states. The gains for both the switching states has been increased by an amount upto 3.5 dB within 27–30 GHz band. The proposed antenna with and without integrated metamaterial unit cells is characterized.