Tunable microstrip patch antenna based on liquid crystals

Abstract

In this project a novel design of a compact rectangular microstrip patch antenna using Liquid Crystals Substrates (LCs) for microwave applications is presented. To benefit from liquid crystal anisotropy and thus obtain frequency agility, a low bias voltage of about 10V is applied. This technique is used to reduce the cost and the overall volume of microwave subsystem especially in wireless communication systems. The proposed reconfigurable antenna based on LCs with DC voltage satisfies a minimal return loss of −52.47dB with a bandwidth of 60MHz for operating frequency of 2.53GHz. The variation of the simulation resonance frequency (ΔFr) obtained after applying a continuous voltage is 530MHz corresponding to an important frequency agility of 26.5%. This method based on LCs can be used to cover several frequency bands, overcome the problem of narrow bandwidth of antenna, increase the peak gain and achieved a good return loss. The design and simulation of antenna is done by using Ansoft HFSS.13. The simulated results are compared with experimental data, and good agreement is obtained.