A reconfigurable MuPAR antenna system employing a hybrid beam-forming technique

This research study proposes a 3.5 GHz array system that demonstrates a hybrid combination of beam-forming and beam-switching schemes. As basic antenna element, a printed ESPAR antenna is employed, with capability to direct its radiation pattern by means of PIN diodes switching. Furthermore, the antenna element impedance matching technique is investigated. Consequently, a four element ESPAR antenna array (MuPAR) is formed in order to exhibit the beam-switching operation of the elements, in combination to the beam-steering technique through a phase shift on the array elements. As a result, a novel hybrid beam-forming array system is implemented, demonstrating multiple scanning capabilities.