A Multifunctional Array System Based on Adjustable-Phase Antenna for Wireless Communications

TL;DR

This paper presents a compact, multifunctional antenna array capable of pattern and polarization reconfiguration, beam steering, and multi-beam operation for wireless communications in the 4.0-5.0 GHz band.

Contribution

It introduces an adjustable-phase antenna design enabling polarization and pattern reconfiguration, combined with a planar array for wide-angle scanning and multi-beam capabilities.

Findings

Achieved polarization reconfigurability from linear to circular (RHCP and LHCP).

Demonstrated beam scanning up to 60 degrees with low sidelobe levels.

Validated design through measurements showing good agreement with simulations.

Abstract

In this work, an innovative method for controlling the current distribution of the radiating patch by adjusting the input phase is investigated to achieve both pattern and polarization reconfigurable characteristics for the multifunction. A compact and low-profile antenna with four fed ports is designed to implement the proposed method, which can operate linear, right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) with different beam directions in the operating band from 4.0 to 5.0 GHz. Even more, a four-by-four passive planar array is designed and fabricated based on this antenna element, which can scan the coverage of 70{\deg} with low gain fluctuation and low sidelobe with dual-polarization. Meanwhile, it can realize the wide-angle scanning capability up to 60{\deg} with low sidelobe with RHCP and LHCP. More important, the dual- and triple-beam with different directions can be obtained by the proposed array. Good agreement has been shown between measured and simulated results. Therefore, the proposed antenna is a good solution for wireless communication systems because of its simple-configuration, multifunction, and beamforming capability.