Sub-6 GHz Adjustable Broadband Radiation Pattern Microstrip Antenna for Wireless Communication System

Abstract

—The present work demonstrates the design of a wideband 2×1 reconfigurable beam steering array for wireless communication systems. The designed antenna is powered by a microstrip line and consists of a two rectangular-shaped radiating elements and a rectangular planar ground. Its dimensions are as follows: 0.67λ0 × 0.53λ0 × 0.03λ0. It executes three reconfigurable operating states by turning on and off two PIN diodes to change the direction of the main beam, as well as a beam tilt ranging from (±30◦ ) to (±38◦ ). A progressive analysis in order to enhance the antenna characteristic performances is furnished. The proposed reconfigurable antenna bandwidth is 18.18% (simulated), 18.84% (theoretical), and 19.42% (measured). The presented antenna has a maximum gain of 8.62 dB (simulated) and 8.45 dB (measured), and a higher efficiency ratio of 80% to 86% over the operating band (5 GHz–6 GHz). The designed antenna is fabricated using a low loss Rogers RT5880 substrate of 2.2 relative permittivity. The simulated, theoretical, and measured results are presented and exhibit a good accord, including the S11 parameter and radiation patterns. In addition to the pattern reconfiguration, the obtained results are useful in order to improve the overall gain, antenna bandwidth and efficiency.