Design and validation of frequency reconfigurable multiband antenna using varied current distribution method

Abstract

Modern communication technologies require systems that can function at a wide range of frequencies, with diversity of radiation patterns, and with different types of polarization. In communication systems, the antenna serves as a filter; hence the ability to reconfigure the antenna is essential. The performance and design of a frequency band reconfigurable antenna are discussed in the paper, along with a comparison of the outputs of simulated and the fabricated design. Three PIN diodes are utilized to switch between various frequency bands. To increase selectivity, two ring resonators were added to the antenna's ground structure. As the current distribution changes in various switching instances, it is seen that the antenna operates at various resonant frequency bands. Connecting the diodes would change the current and field distribution in the chip design and thus change the resonant frequency. The antenna structure was designed and obtained results using High Frequency Simulation Structure (HFSS) software. The simulated and fabricated antenna is found to be operating in S band (2–4 GHz) and C (4–8 GHz) band of IEEE frequency bands with a gain in the range of 2.59 dB–9.54 dB. Typically the antenna resonates at various frequencies specifically, 2.38 GHz, 2.48 GHz, 3.98 GHz, 4 GHz, 4.45 GHz, 6.99 GHz, 7.2 GHz, 8.25 GHz. Under different switching cases of the diodes, the antenna is found to be radiating in different frequency ranges. By switching the PIN diodes under different cases, the current distribution path can be altered and as result of it, the antenna operates at variable frequencies.