Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna using MEMS Technology

Abstract

This project proposes the design of a Reconfigurable Micro Strip Patch Antenna Using MEMS Technology A Reconfigurable Microstrip patch antenna of operating frequency in the range of 5-8 GHz(C-Band), for the application of wireless communication has been designed. The term Reconfigurability refers that it adaptively changes its characteristics. A MEMS-based switch is inserted in the patch to control its configuration. Patch antenna using switchable slots shows different resonant features with different states (ON &OFF) of the switch. When the switch is in the OFF mode, the electric currents on the patch have to flow around the slot, resulting in a relatively long length of the current path. Therefore, the antenna resonates at a low frequency. In contrast, when the switch is in the ON mode, some of the electric currents can go directly through the switch. In this case, the average length of the current path is shorter, so that the antenna has a higher resonant frequency. The antenna was designed and analyzed using ANSOFT HFSS.