Electromagnetics Laboratory

A Compound Reconfigurable Microstrip Parasitic Array

Mentee: Jacob Block
Mentor: Jake Adams
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Why Compound Reconfigurable?
Reconfigurable antenna properties can be changed
dynamically by external control

Compound reconfigurability
Multiple Radiation Patterns
Receive signals from multiple directions


Multiple Operating Frequencies
Antennas are designed for specific operating frequencies
WiMAX (3.5 GHz)
WiFi (2.4 GHz)
M. Slater, A compound reconfigurable antenna, M.S. thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2008.
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Microstrip Parasitic Array
Antenna (substrate, ground, patch)
Switches on parasitic elements change pattern/frequency
M. Slater, A compound reconfigurable antenna, M.S. thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2008.
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Radiation Patterns
Length of Reflector > Length of Driven > Length of Directors
Yagi-Uda Antenna (dipole cylinders)
Directional radiation pattern


Electromagnetics Laboratory
Operating Frequency of Antenna
Frequency Dependent
Length of arms
Switches
Varactor (variable capacitor)
Spacing between arms
Averaging

Yagi-Uda Rules of Thumb (Numerical, not Analytic)
Length of Arms
Driven Reflector Director Separation
~ /2 ~ >/2 ~ </2 ~ </4
2.4 GHz 42.5mm 44mm 38mm 25mm
3.5 Ghz 25mm 27.5mm 22mm 15mm
Electromagnetics Laboratory
3.5Ghz Right Tilt 2.4Ghz Right Tilt
10
pF
1
pF
10
pF
1
pF
varactors
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Fun Stuff with HFSS

2.4 GHz
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Fun Stuff with HFSS

3.5 GHz
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New Design Reduce Size, Reduce Averaging, Increase Performance
Ground Plane Resonators
(slits into the ground plane)





New switching topology
Eliminate Varactors
Simplify DC bias network (less cables)
Less averaging

Mustache
Meander line
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Electromagnetics Laboratory
New Switching Topology
3.5Ghz Right Tilt 2.4Ghz Right Tilt
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Conclusion
What I learned
HFSS
Antennas

Thanks PURE!
Thanks Jake!


Questions?