A Building Block Element (BBE) Capable Of Realizing Functional Reconfiguration Between Antenna and Resonator Mode

This paper presents a block of microwave hardware, termed a building block element (BBE) that facilitates functional reconfiguration between antenna mode and resonator mode. Specifically, the proposed BBE can operate as a patch resonator or a slot antenna at the same time. Ultimately this reconfiguration will be achieved with the aid of Gallium-based liquid metal. This paper presents hardwired versions of the BBE, which serve to verify the concept. To that end a hardwired slot antenna and a hardwired patch resonator were manufactured and measured. The simulated and measured performance of the BBE are in good agreement.