Smart distributed subarray MIMO (DS-MIMO) microstrip antenna system with frequency agile for communication and radar applications

Abstract

Recent technologies enable electronic and RF circuits in communication devices and radar to be miniaturized and become physically smaller in size. Antenna design has been one of the key limiting constraints to the development of small communication terminals and also in meeting next generation and radar requirements. Multiple antenna technologies (MATs) have gained much attention in the last few years because of the huge gain. MATs can enhance the reliability and the channel capacity levels. Furthermore, multiple antenna systems can have a big contribution to reduce the interference both in the uplink and the downlink. To increase the communication systems reliability, multiple antennas can be installed at the transmitter or/and at the receiver. The idea behind multiple antenna diversity is to supply the receiver by multiple versions of the same signal transmitted via independent channels. In modern communication transceiver and radar systems, primary aims are to direct high power RF signal from transmitter to antenna while preventing leakage of that large signal into more sensitive frontend of receiver. So, a Single-Pole Double-Throw (SPDT) Transmitter/Receiver (T/R) Switch plays an important role. In this paper, design of smart distributed subarray MIMO (DS-MIMO) microstrip antenna system with controller unit and frequency agile has been introduced and investigated. All the entire proposed antenna system has been evaluated using a commercial software. The final proposed design has been fabricated and the radiation characteristics have been illustrated using network analyzer to meet the requirements for communication and radar applications.