Polarization Switching Frequency Reconfigurable Dual Polarization Antenna Element for Phased Array Weather Applications

In this paper, design of a C-band frequency reconfigurable and polarization switching aperture coupled microstrip antenna is proposed. This antenna operates at two distinct frequencies and switches between horizontal and vertical polarizations and can be used in a phased array antenna. The antenna is an aperture-coupled microstrip element designed to switch between frequency range of 4.72 to 4.90 GHz and 5.27 to 5.41 GHz with a gain of 4.7-5.5 dB for all polarizations and frequencies of interest. The polarization switching is achieved by using a switch at the feedlines. Frequency reconfigurability is achieved using diodes to change the effective size of the patch. The simulations show that the antenna is able to alternate between the two polarizations using a switch on the feedlines at two frequency bands with a cross-polarization level of more than 30 dB.