Dual Frequency Electronically Controlled Radiation Beam Reconfigurable slotted Antenna for Detection of a Stationary or Nonstationary Target

Abstract

A dual-frequency and radiation pattern reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna for detecting a stationary as well as a non-stationary target is described. Six angular patches, that collectively form a circular shape, are used. All the six patches radiate one by one after a fixed interval of time and their feed controlling is done by six PIN diodes. The switching of PIN diodes is controlled by an embedded biasing network. This antenna provides radiation beam scanning characteristics. It gives the main lobe scanning at every 60o clockwise (or anticlockwise) continuously by applying a signal to patches one by one. The purpose of introducing the slot is to get the radiation pattern in the desired direction since by changing the length, width, and position of the slot, the direction of the radiation pattern can be controlled. The slotted antenna operates in a C band with two frequencies 4.21 GHz and 4.82 GHz and provides a radiation pattern, 90o apart from each other. The scanning rate of 0.6 deg/ms is obtained; however, the scanning rate can be changed with the help of ATMEGA 2560 microcontroller. This compact Microstrip patch antenna can be widely used for short-range applications i.e. ground surveillance radar, missile control, mobile battlefield surveillance for military and many other applications in a modern wireless communication system. The designed antenna along with the switching application will be able to track the stationary as well as a non-stationary target.