Reconfigurable oscillating active integrated antenna using two‐element patch array for beam switching applications

Abstract

An oscillating active integrated antenna (AIA) with a switchable pattern among sum or difference is reported here. The AIA design consists of a passive feedback network and an active device. A two‐port, two‐element patch array coupled electromagnetically through T‐shaped microstrip lines is integrated into the feedback path of the oscillator circuit. This two‐port network acts as a radiator and frequency‐selective network for the oscillator circuit. The proposed AIA can switch in two different radiation pattern states by using p‐i‐n diodes. In the difference pattern, oscillating AIA has a measured null depth of −19.86 dB from the peak. The measured phase noise for both patterns is better than −105.1 dBc/Hz at a 1‐MHz offset from the oscillation frequencies. The dc‐to‐RF efficiencies for both pattern states are better than 20%. The proposed design is suitable to cover the space in a more efficient manner by generating the pattern among broadside or conical.