Multiple Parameter Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna

A multiple parameter reconfigurable antenna is presented in this paper. The antenna is a microstrip patch which consists of a driven circular patch antenna and four circular parasitics. The reconfigurable operation of the antenna is realised by six embedded switches on the driven element and the parasitics. Two switches, embedded within the driven element are used to switch between circular polarisation (CP) and linear polarisation (LP). Whereas the embedded switches within the parasitics are used to alter the main beam direction. The antenna is capable of yielding CP radiation when the main beam is directed towards boresight. The antenna operates at 10.6 GHz. There is alignment between the -10 dB impedance bandwidth(BW) (6.6 %) and the 3 dB axial ratio (AR) BW (1.4 %) of the antenna. Furthermore, the main lobe gain is approximately constant for all steering angles.