Design of pattern reconfigurable antenna array

Two types of pattern reconfigurable antenna arrays has been present in this paper. Both antenna arrays are formed by four antenna elements with endfire pattern. When the four antenna elements are organized to a 3D array, it achieves pattern reconfiguration in horizontal plane. And when they are printed on a same substrate, the antenna array can achieve pattern reconfiguration both in horizontal and vertical planes.

I. Introduction

With the continuous development of communication system, there are more and more demands for antennas in the fields of transportation, satellite, etc. The number of antennas increases rapidly, and the cost of building antennas increases accordingly. Moreover, the electromagnetic interference between antennas seriously affects the work of antennas. Pattern reconfigurable antenna can realize the working effect of multiple antennas by one antenna, which effectively reduces the cost of antenna erection and electromagnetic interference. Much work have been done on pattern reconfigurable antenna [1–8]. Antenna array composed of multiple elements and fed by multiple ports is a commonly used approach to design pattern reconfigurable antenna [1]–[3]. In [1], a four-port substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot antenna has been proposed. With choosing the feeding of the four ports, the antenna can achieve 12 reconfigurable patterns. In [2], a four port microstrip antenna with four arc slots has been proposed. With choosing the feeding of each port, the antenna can achieve four reconfigurable patterns.