Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

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Abstract Reconfigurable antennas are capable of impedance bandwidth, polarization, and radiation pattern
dynamically altering their frequency, polarization, and as per the operating requirements of the host system. They
radiation properties in a controlled and reversible manner. can radiate multiple patterns at different frequencies and
They modify their geometry and behaviour to maximize polarizations. Obtaining the desired functionality for a
the antenna performance in response to changes in their reconfigurable antenna and integrating it into a complete
surrounding conditions. To implement a dynamical system to achieve an efficient and cost-effective solution
response, they employ different mechanisms such as PIN is a challenging task for antenna designers.
diodes, varactors, radio-frequency microelectromechanical Converting an antenna into a reconfigurable device by
systems (RF-MEMS), field effect transistors (FETs), applying different techniques to change the antenna’s
parasitic pixel layers, photoconductive elements, internal structure has been challenging. Multiple factors
mechanical actuators, metamaterials, ferrites, and liquid
need to be considered such as achieving a good gain, good
crystals. These mechanisms enable intentional distribution
efficiency, stable radiation pattern, and a good impedance
of current on the antenna surface producing reversible
match throughout all the antenna’s operation states.
modification of their properties. This paper presents the
To achieve a good gain, stable radiation pattern, and a
design process and applications of reconfigurable
good impedance throughout the operation states, the
antennas. The activation mechanisms of reconfigurable
reconfigurable antenna designers must focus on the
antennas, and their design and operation optimization are
discussed. The latest advances on reconfigurable following questions: (i) Which antenna property (e.g.
metamaterial engineering, and the current trends and future frequency, radiation pattern, or polarization) must be
directions relating to reconfigurable antennas are modified? (ii) How are the radiating elements of the
reviewed. Finally, the applications of reconfigurable antenna structure reconfigured to achieve the required
antennas in cognitive radio, multi-input multi-output property? (iii) Which reconfiguration technique can
(MIMO) systems, satellite communications, and minimize the negative effects on the antenna
biomedical devices are highlighted. performances?
A reconfigurable antenna provides the same
Keywords Radiation Pattern, Polarizations, Radio functionality as that given by multiple single-purpose
Frequency Microelectromechanical System, PIN Diodes, antennas. This offers saving in costs, weight, volume, and
Varactors, Metasurface, Optical Switches, Reconfigurable maintenance/repair resources. The following subsections
Antennas present the definition of the critical parameters for antenna
development.

1.1. Antenna Parameters

1. Introduction Antenna parameters can be classified into four
categories: physical parameters, circuit parameters,
Due to the rapid growth of wireless communications,
transition parameters, and space parameters. The physical
and the high demand for the integration of multiple
parameters include size, material, temperature, wind
wireless standards into a single platform, it is highly
pressure, supporting structure, and coating. The circuit
desirable that the operating frequency, radiation pattern,
parameters include input impedance, bandwidth, radiation
and polarizations of antennas can be reconfigurable [1].
resistance, self and mutual inductance and gain. The
Reconfigurable antennas modify their operating frequency,
2 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

transition parameters include loss, attenuation and

mismatch. Finally, the space parameters are radiation
pattern shape, beam width, directivity, radiation intensity,
Over the years, antennas have been designed with input
lobes and polarizations.
impedance 50 Ω which perfectly match with 50 Ω
The input impedance over frequency (typically called
characteristics transmission line system, leads to reflection
the frequency response) and the radiation (or radiation coefficient of zero, a VSWR of one and an RL of infinity.
pattern) are two basic parameters which are used to Smith chart describes about the input impedance,
characterize an antenna. The frequency response is used reflection coefficient, and frequency behaviour that may
for the input impedance matching. Without the proper be either inductive or capacitive. Smith chart provides the
input impedance match, the transmitting system will suffer information about the antenna’s resonant behaviour as the
from component failure and power wastage due to severe antenna is resonant at frequencies at pure and convenient
reflections, while the receiving system will suffer from input impedance.
reduction in sensitivity and require additional
amplification. The antenna’s frequency response
1.3. Radiation Characteristics
determines its radiation pattern.
Radiation pattern is one of the most important
1.2. Frequency Response characteristics of antennas. It is a graphical representation
of antenna’s far-field radiation properties. It also describes
Frequency response is the input impedance over the the ability of an antenna to transmit/receive signals in a
frequency range. The complex input impedance can be direction. It can be specified by the unit decibels (dB).
represented as: Polarization of an antenna’s radiation pattern can be
defined as the change in the electric field vector with
zin ()  R()  jX (1) respect to the direction of propagation. Polarization is an
( )
where Zin(  ) is the complex input impedance, R(  ) important parameter in an antenna. It acts as a filter for
is resistance, X(  ) is reactance and   2f is undesired signals. There are three types of polarizations
the which are linear, elliptical, and circular polarization [2]. In
frequency in radian. The complex input impedance case of polarization, the antenna radiation pattern
describes the antenna as a circuit element. The antenna’s describes the fundamental shape and characteristics of the
input impedance determines the reflection coefficient (  antenna. Beam width is one of the parameter which can be
), described in a two-dimensional plane in the radiating
return loss (RL), VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio). volume of the antenna. The half-power beam width of the
z ( )  z antenna can be
  in 0
(2) defined as the parameter which measures the angle
Zin ()  z0 surrounding the direction of maximum radiation. It
describes the antenna’s normalized radiation intensity is
where Zin(  ) is input impedance of the antenna and Z0 is greater than 0.5.
The first null beam width can be defined as it is the
the characteristics impedance of the transmission line. 
is always a negative number. We can also use S11 to angle between the first pattern nulls adjacent to the main
represent  . lobe of the pattern. The two parameters which are half-
power beam width and full-null beam width describe the
shape
Return Loss=RL= -20 log  (3) and the extent of the main beam of the antenna.
Directivity and gain describe the antenna efficiency. The
The return loss is always a positive number. The antenna’s directivity can be defined as the ratio of the
possible values of return loss range from 0 dB to ∞ dB. radiation intensity in a given direction to the average
The voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is defined as: radiation intensity in overall direction. Gain can be defined
V 1 as the ratio of the radiation intensity of a test antenna in a
VSWR  max
(4) given direction, to the radiation intensity of an isotropic
 1 antenna.
Vmin If a direction is not particularly specified for directivity
Where Vmax is the maximum voltage amplitude of the antenna input impedance.
standing wave and Vmin is the minimum voltage amplitude
of the standing wave. The possible VSWR values from 1 to
∞.
VSWR=1 means the transmission line is perfectly
matched with antenna input impedance, and VSWR=∞
means the transmission line is completely unmatched with
or gain, the direction of the maximum radiation intensity
is implied which describes the loss as the loss does not
arise from the impedance and polarization mismatch. If
the antenna is ideal and there is no power dissipation,
then the gain and directivity of an antenna can be
interchanged. Antenna efficiency is an antenna
parameter which captures the antenna’s losses and
describes a relation related to the gain and directivity by
the relation:
 241

G = ηD (5)
2. Classification of Reconfigurable
where G is the gain of an antenna is the directivity D of an Antennas
antenna and η is the antenna efficiency. The ohmic losses
created from the imperfect conductors and dielectric Based on the operational properties dynamically
determine the radiation efficiency. Basically, in a adjusted, e.g. frequency of operation, radiation pattern,
reconfigurable antenna, these losses can be arisen. There polarization or a combination of any of these properties,
is a possibility of other types of issues imposed by solid- reconfigurable antennas can be classified as follows:
state devices such as diodes, field-effect transistors 1. Frequency Reconfigurable Antennas: These antennas
(FETs), plasma-based devices, switches, or materials used can be developed by two mechanisms: electrical or
to enable reconfiguration. Frequency reconfigurability can mechanical. The electrical mechanism employs
be achieved by controlled changes in the dielectric, or discrete tuning and continuous tuning methods.
magnetic changes in the materials such as ferroelectrics Discrete tuning can be achieved by radio frequency
and ferrites. (RF) switches and continuous tuning can be achieved
As we deal with electro-magnetic waves, the antenna by varactor diodes. The mechanical mechanism
acts as a transducer between guided and unguided employs the impedance loading tunable materials
electromagnetic wave. The antenna is part of a circuit such as liquid crystals, metasurface to achieve the
which behaves as a radiator. Reconfigurability is a frequency reconfiguration.
property where the frequency response, will have an 2. Pattern Reconfigurable Antennas: These antennas
impact on radiation characteristics. In the same way, use movable/rotatable structure like metasurface or
reconfigurations that result in radiation pattern changes including switchable in reactively loaded capacitive
will also alter the antenna’s frequency response. The elements for the intentional modification of the
reconfigurable antenna developers prefer the spherical distribution of radiation pattern.
characteristics to be separable which is a major challenge 3. Polarization Reconfigurable Antennas: These
for them. Metamaterial will provide miniaturization of the antennas use switching between different
antenna with desired frequency along with specific polarizations, i.e. from linear polarization to left
absorption rate (SAR) reduction [93]-[94].The hand circular polarization (LHCP) and right hand
miniaturization of constitutive elements of metasurface circular polarization (RHCP), using multi modes
structure or metasurface. To reduce the polarization
allows more fine control of the desired distribution of the
mismatch, losses in portable devices, switching
electromagnetic fields [96].
between horizontal, vertical and circular
The special type of metamaterial based reconfigurable
polarizations are needed.
antenna can be used for military as well as biomedical
4. Compound Reconfigurable Antennas: These
device sectors with the following desirable characteristics
antennas use simultaneous tuning of several antenna
(i) compact size, (ii) low profile, (iii) conformal, (iv) multi
parameters, e.g. frequency and radiation pattern, for
band or broad band, (v) low frequency, and (vi) low independent reconfiguration of operating frequency,
specific absorption rate (SAR). radiation pattern and polarization, via a parasitic
Using a reconfigurable metamaterial antenna, we can pixel layer.
develop a compact frequency and pattern reconfigurable
rectenna for wireless powering of medical devices.
2.1. Reconfiguration Techniques
In this paper, the classification of reconfigurable
antennas, their reconfiguration techniques and design Based on the requirement on the reconfiguration
process are described in Section 2. A comparison between property of the antenna, there are four major types of
different reconfiguration techniques is given in Section 3. reconfiguration techniques: electrical, optical, mechanical
Reconfigurable antennas for cognitive radio, MIMO, and material [3]-[4].The reconfiguration techniques are
satellite and biomedical applications are highlighted in presented in Figure 1.
Section 4. Finally, Section 5 provides conclusions and
future directions.
242 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

Figure 1. Antenna reconfiguration techniques

Electrical reconfiguration techniques are based on the 2.2. Advantages of Reconfigurable Antennas
use of switches to connect or disconnect antenna parts and
redistribute the currents by altering the radiated fields of Reconfigurable antennas can support more than one
the antenna’s effective aperture [5]-[6]. Radio-frequency wireless standard, and deliver the same performance as
microelectromechanical systems (RF-MEMS), PIN diodes, that of multiple antennas. Hence, reconfigurable antennas
varactor diodes, or field effect transistors (FETs) are have the following advantages: (i) low cost, low volume,
integrated into the antenna to redirect their source currents. simple integration, and good isolation between different
RF-MEMS switches based antennas rely on the wireless standards, (ii) low front-end processing that
mechanical movement of the switches to achieve means no need for front-end filtering and good out-of-
reconfiguration. Many antenna designs have resorted to band rejection, (iii) best candidate for software-defined
RF-MEMS to reconfigure their performance [7]-[14]. The radios which can adapt to new surroundings, and (iv)
switching speed of RF-MEMS switchs is in the range of 1- change functionality as per the mission changes, act as a
200 µsec which is low for some applications [15]. PIN single element or as an array, providing narrow band or
diodes and varactor diodes have faster switching speed as wideband as per the requirements.
compared to RF-MEMS switches and are in the range of 1- The cost of the reconfigurable antennas can be linked to
100 nsec [15]. Reconfigurable antennas using PIN diodes different parameters as summarized below: (i) design of
have more dynamic reconfiguration ability as compared to the biasing network for activation/deactivation of the
RF-MEMS reconfigurable antennas [16]-[26], [97], [99].
elements in the antenna structure, (ii) required power
Reconfigurable antennas using varactor diodes have tuning
consumption of active components, (iii) generation of
ability based on integrating a variable capacitor into the
harmonics and intermodulation products, and (iv) fast
antenna structure. The capacitance of the varactor can be
tuning of the antenna radiation characteristics to assure a
varied by varying the biasing voltage [27]-[35]. Optical
correct functioning of the system.
reconfiguration techniques rely on photoconductive
switching elements [36]-[41]. The optical switches
incorporated into an antenna structure become conductive 2.3. Electrically Reconfigurable Antennas
once they are subjected to a laser beam. The integrated
Electronic switching components such as RF-MEMS,
laser diodes generate the laser beam. Mechanically
PIN diodes, varactor diodes or FETs are used in
reconfigurable antennas can be achieved by altering the
electrically reconfigurable antennas for surface current
structure of the source antenna using actuators [42]-[45].
distributions by altering the antenna radiating structures or
Finally, reconfigurable antennas can be implemented using
radiating edges. The integration of switches into the
smart materials such as metamaterials [93]-[94], [98],
ferrites, and liquid crystals [46], dielectric fluids etc. antenna structure makes it easier for designers to reach the
desired reconfigurable functionality [47].
The corresponding reconfigurability for each of the
The electrical mechanism employs discrete tuning and
four-reconfiguration techniques can be obtained either by
continuous tuning methods. These can be achieved by
a change in the antenna surface current distribution, a
using p-i-n (PIN) diodes, varactor diodes, and
change in the antenna physical structure, a change in the
field-effect-transistors (FETs). For operating these
feeding network, or a change in the antenna radiating
electronic components in the antenna circuit, direct-
edges. The change in one parameter in the antenna
current (DC) source and biasing circuits are needed. An
characteristics may affect the other parameters. Therefore,
electrical reconfigurable antenna thus relies on a DC
RF antenna designers should be careful during the design
electrical source and electronic switching components
stage to analyse all the characteristics simultaneously to
which have an adverse effect on the operation and
achieve the required reconfiguration properties.
performance of the antenna.
 243

2.4. Optically Reconfigurable Antennas 2.5. Mechanical/Physically Reconfigurable Antennas

Optically reconfigurable antenna comes under the class Antennas can also be reconfigured by physically
of radiating elements that has the capability of changing altering the antenna radiating structure. The tuning of the
the radiation properties with the use of switches which antenna is achieved by a structural modification of the
may be optical activation of silicon switches of reactive antenna radiating parts [65]. The importance of this
elements. The metal wires that may interfere with the technique is that it does not relay on any switch
antenna’s radiation characteristics can be eliminated in mechanisms, biasing lines or optical fiber/laser diode
case of optically controlled devices. The use of additional integration. On the other hand, this technique depends on
metallic microstrip or wired biasing lines makes the the limitation of the device to be physically reconfigured.
antenna complex and interference among the required
radiation pattern makes the major issues in case of DC
controlled microstrip antennas, can be overcome using 2.6. Reconfigurable Antennas Based on
optically controlled reconfigurable antenna. Smart Materials
Resonant Frequency of an antenna can also be achieved Antennas are also made reconfigurable through a
by optically controlled switches. It is more preferable than change in the substrate characteristics by using materials
electrical switches as optical control has more advantage
such as liquid crystals, dielectric fluids, ferrites or
over electrical control. Even at high microwave
metasurfaces. The change in the material is achieved by a
frequencies, the optical signal isolates the controlling
change in the relative electric permittivity or magnetic
optical signal from the controlled microwave signal.
permeability. In fact, a liquid crystal is a nonlinear
Optically controlled devices have the switching speed of
material whose dielectric constant can be changed under
0.1-1 MHz. The reconfiguration in the frequency response
different voltage levels, by altering the orientation of the
from single-band to dual- band can be achieved by the use
liquid crystal molecules. As for a ferrite material, a static
of photoconductive switches.
applied electric/magnetic field can change the relative
Frequency agility of the antenna can be implemented by
material permittivity/permeability. In metasurfaced
using the optical properties of P3HT (3-hexylthiophene),
which is an organic semiconductor polymer that shows antenna, the metasurface is placed directly atop the patch
semiconductor properties based on organic components. antenna and is rotated. This change the equivalent relative
Due to some advantages such as easy fabrication, permittivity of the structure by which the resonant
mechanical flexibility, and tunable optical properties frequency of the antenna can be tuned. Frequency tuning
having good spectral overlap with optical wavelength can also be achieved using controllable electrical
irradiation and high charge-carrier mobility in addition properties materials like
with low band gap, organic semiconductor polymer is barium-strontium-titanate (BST), yttrium iron garnet
more preferred in many applications. Stability and (YIG), liquid crystals, artificial fluids and dielectric fluids.
solubility are two important features of organic [66]-[79].
semiconductor polymer that signifies it is stable in
2.6.1. Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna Using
ambient condition and soluble in common organic
Metasurface
solvents. The bandgap of P3HT is very small,
approximately 1.9 eV and the absorption peak in the The frequency reconfigurable metasurfaced antenna
visible spectrum ranges from 450 to 600 nm. consists of a patch antenna (source antenna) and a
P3HT can be used as a patch material in case of an metasurface (MS). The metasurface consists of
antenna that can be optically controlled. When the light rectangular-loop unit cells placed periodically in the
source illuminates the organic polymer, then an vertical and horizontal directions. MS are designed to
electron-hole plasma region is induced as in a have circular shape and occupy the same area as that of
semiconductor material the photon energy is greater than patch antenna for easy reconfigurable operation of the
the bandgap energy. This results a change in the resonant antenna.
properties of the antenna. Metamaterials can be extended three-dimensionally by
When laser light is incident on a semiconductor arranging small electrical scatterers or holes in a
material such as silicon, gallium arsenide, an optical two-dimensional pattern on a surface [77]. Metamaterials
switch is formed and results in excitation of electrons are known as double negative (DNG) materials because
from valence to conduction band for creating a conduction their permeability and permittivity are simultaneously
channel. Optically reconfigurable antenna is a type of negative in a given frequency band. Metamaterials possess
antenna where we can achieve antenna reconfiguration by a negative index because of their negative permittivity and
integrating a switch into it. In the absence of biasing lines, permeability, and have near zero refractive index. The
optical switches compensate the lossy behaviour and uses ability to control and manipulate electromagnetic
laser light for their activation [62]-[64]. The main job is behaviour differentiates metamaterials from traditional
related with the switches that can be activated on the materials [95]. The two-dimensional equivalent of
antenna structure. metamaterials is called metasurface (MS). A metasurface
has the advantages of taking up a small physical space and
being a low-loss structure [77]. With its concise planar
 244 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

configuration and low price, a MS can be used to develop

planar antennas. Placing a MS on top of a patch antenna
can improve the performance of the antenna. The
amalgamation of a MS and a patch antenna is called a MS
antenna. The geometries of patch antenna, metasurface
and unit cell is shown in figure 2. The non-copper side of
the MS is placed in direct contact with the radiator of the
patch antenna. The frequency reconfigurability of the
antenna can be achieved by rotating the MS around the
center relative to the patch antenna. The antenna is (a) (b) (c)
Figure 2. Geometries of (a) Patch Antenna (source antenna), (b)
microstrip fed using a 50-Ω feed-line. The diameter of the Meatsurface and (c) Unit cell [78].
circular ground plane is 20 mm and the substrate used is a
Rogers substrates RO4350B, having thickness of  r
Table 1. Resonant Frequencies with different rotation angles of MS

=3.48. The Resonant Frequency(GHz) 4.77 5.07 5.27 5.51

rotation angle R is measured from the y-axis of the unit

Rotation Angle of MS 100 350 550 800

cell as shown in Figure 2(b). As the rotation angle R The unit cell is designed and simulated by HFSS
increases, the permittivity of the metasurface decreases software as shown in Figure 3.
and shifts up the resonant frequency of the FRMS antenna.
Hence, the resonant frequency of the FRMS antenna is
proportional to the rotation angle of the metasurface. As
the angle of the rotation increases from 100 to 250, 350, 500,
800,
the resonant frequency increases from 4.77 to 4.9, 5.07,
5.31 and 5.51 GHz, respectively as shown in Table 1. The
S11 plot of the designed antenna is shown in figure 6. The
simulated s-parameters value of unit cell for 4 to 6 GHz is
demonstrated in table 2, table 3, table 4 and table 5. The
variation of  r r value of unit cell after rotation is
and
shown in figure 5 (a) and figure 5(b). Figure 3. Simulation model of rectangular loop unit cell using HFSS

Table 2. Rectangular loop unit cell S11 magnitude and frequency

Frequency in Mag of S11 Mag of S11 Mag of S11 Mag of S11 Mag of S11
GHz -a='25deg' -a='45deg' -a='65deg' -a='80deg' -a='85deg'
4.0 0.171589471 0.21804235 0.350296151 0.672771673 0.875048178
4.25 0.181743449 0.230707611 0.368935922 0.694436358 0.886758895
4.50 0.181743449 0.243213453 0.387084391 0.714305081 0.89694796
4.75 0.201758632 0.255554339 0.387084391 0.732527861 0.905854873
5.00 0.211612251 0.267725136 0.421888302 0.749246331 0.913676421
5.25 0.221358421 0.279721092 0.438539466 0.764592754 0.920574894
5.50 0.230993703 0.291537801 0.454690379 0.778689589 0.926684677
5.75 0.240514754 0.303171175 0.470343291 0.791649461 0.932117531
6.00 0.249918299 0.314617405 0.485501858 0.803575413 0.936966807
 245

From the rectangular unit cell, we can calculate the S 11 rotation. The frequency range used for S-parameters
and S21 parameters by the incident of a plane wave calculation is 4-6 GHz. By providing appropriate
normally on the substrate though the floquent port-1.There master-slave boundary conditions in HFSS software to the
is a rotation of E-field with respect to the y-axis of the unit unit cell, we analyze the s-parameters. The S11 plot and S21
cell, so the reflection coefficient (S11) and the transmission plot of unit cell after rotation is shown in figure 4.
coefficient (S21) changes with respect to the unit cell

1
0.8
Mag of S11

a='25deg'
0.6 a='45deg'
a='65deg'
0.4 a='80deg'
a='85deg'

0.2
0
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Frequency in GHz

Figure 4 (a). Simulated S11 magnitude w.r.t frequency for different a=250,450,650,800, and 850 rotation of rectangular loop unit cell

Table 3. Rectangular loop unit cell S11 Phase in radian and frequency in GHz
Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for
Frequency in GHz
a=25 deg a=45 deg a=65 deg a=80 deg a=85 deg
4.00 -2.621685293 -2.476501772 -2.339610547 -2.479044783 -2.723036987
4.25 -2.686797391 -2.532246894 -2.385131489 -2.51922573 -2.753051513
4.50 -2.751841732 -2.587875894 -2.43028512 -2.557714847 -2.780848429
4.75 -2.816814862 -2.643383857 -2.475063162 -2.594608543 -2.806690016
5.00 -2.881713712 -2.698766374 -2.519459212 -2.630001929 -2.830802172
5.25 -2.946535534 -2.754019456 -2.563468595 -2.663987529 -2.853379812
5.50 -3.011277834 -2.809139468 -2.60708822 -2.696654367 -2.874591512
5.75 -3.075938316 -2.864123052 -2.650316442 -2.728087366 -2.89458346
6.00 -3.140514833 -2.918967063 -2.693152928 -2.758366996 -2.913482793

-2.2 a='25deg'
-2.3 a='45d eg'
a='65d eg'
-2.4 a='80deg'
-2.5
Phase of S11

a='85deg'

-2.6
-2.7
-2.8
-2.9
-3
-3.1
-3.2
4 4.25 4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6
Frequency in GHz

Figure 4 (b). Simulated S11 phase in radian w.r.t frequency for different a=250,450,650,800, and 850 rotation of rectangular loop unit cell
246 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

Table 4. Rectangular loop unit cell S21 magnitude and frequency

Frequency in Mag of S21 –for Mag of S21 –for Mag of S21 –for Mag of S21 –for Mag of S21 –for
GHz a='25deg a='45deg' a='65deg' a='80deg' a='85deg'
4.0 0.984742414 0.975398351 0.935770814 0.738184466 0.481871842
4.25 0.982895549 0.9724521 0.928542368 0.717837726 0.460043277
4.50 0.980959161 0.969371783 0.921088658 0.69807231 0.439926375
4.75 0.978936642 0.966164046 0.913435949 0.678933587 0.421361099
5.00 0.976831446 0.962835599 0.905609823 0.660450576 0.404200795
5.25 0.974647073 0.959393182 0.897635018 0.642639035 0.388312417
5.50 0.972387054 0.955843518 0.889535307 0.625504143 0.373576038
5.75 0.970054945 0.952193281 0.881333389 0.609042777 0.359884002
6.00 0.967654312 0.948449056 0.873050814 0.593245427 0.347139895

1.1
a='25deg'
0.9
a='45deg'
Mag of S21

0.7 a='65deg'
a='80deg'
0.5
a='85deg'
0.3

0.1
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Frequency in GHz

Figure 4 (c). Simulated S21 magnitude w.r.t frequency for different a=250,450,650,800, and 850 rotation of rectangular loop unit cell

Table 5. Rectangular loop unit cell S21 Phase in radian and frequency in GHz
Frequency in Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for Phase of S11 for
GHz a=25 deg a=45 deg a=65 deg a=80deg a=85 deg
4.00 -1.048412196 -0.903231913 -0.766341669 -0.90577349 -1.149764406
4.25 -1.113529565 -0.958982355 -0.811868325 -0.945959198 -1.179783428
4.50 -1.178578213 -1.014615903 -0.857026728 -0.98445318 -1.207585178
4.75 -1.243555389 -1.070128246 -0.901809351 -1.021351882 -1.233431817
5.00 -1.308458442 -1.125515315 -0.94621021 -1.056750433 -1.257549169
5.25 -1.373284798 -1.180773257 -0.990224789 -1.09074136 -1.280132116
5.50 -1.438031935 -1.235898402 -1.033849956 -1.123413685 -1.301349236
5.75 -1.50269735 -1.290887234 -1.077083879 -1.154852324 -1.321346753
6.00 -1.567278533 -1.345736356 -1.119925927 -1.18513774 -1.340251868
 247

-0.6
a='25deg'

-0.8 a='45deg'

Phase of S21
a='65deg'

-1 a='80deg'
a='85deg'

-1.2

-1.4

-1.6
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Frequency in
Figure 4 (d). Simulated S21
GHz 0
Phase in Radian w.r.t frequency for different a=25 ,45 ,65 ,80 , and 85 0 0 0 0
rotation of rectangular loop unit cell

5
Real µr Frequency in GHz
Real [µr] for a=25

3
Real [µr] for a=45
µr

Real [µr] for a=65

Real [µr] for a=80
Real [µr] for a=85

1
Imag µr
-1 4 4.25 4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6
Frequency in GHZ
Figure 5 (a). Calculated r µr w.r.t frequency for different a=25 ,45 ,65 ,80 , and 85
0 0 0 0 0
rotation of rectangular loop unit cell

34
29 Real[εr] for a=25
Real[εr] for a=45
24 Real[εr] for a=65
Real εr
Real[εr] for a=80
19 Real[εr] for a=85

14
εr

9
4
-1
Imag εr
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Frequency in GHz
Figure 5 (b). Calculated  r w.r.t frequency for different a=250,450,650,800, and 850 rotation of rectangular loop unit cell
248 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

Figure 5. FRMS antenna using HFSS

Frequency Reconfigurability:

0
-2
-4
-6 theta1=25
S11 in dB

-8 theta1=45

-10 theta1=65

-12 theta1=80

-14 theta1=85

-16
-18
4 4.25 4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5
Frequency in GHz
Figure 6. Simulated S11 of FRMS antenna with different rotation angles

2.6.2. Polarization Reconfigurable Antenna center with respect to the slot antenna. The dimensions of
Using Metasurface PRMS antenna design are listed in Table 7. The slot
In polarization reconfigurable antenna, the direction of antenna is designed on a double-sided substrate as shown
electric field on the wave front is changed during in Figure 7 (a) and the metasurface is designed on a single
reconfiguration. Polarization reconfigurable antennas can sided substrate as shown in Figure 7(b). The Rogers
usually be switched from circular polarization to substrate RO4350B, having dielectric constant  r =3.48
right-hand circular polarization [80].
and a thickness of 1.524 mm is used to design the antenna
The polarization reconfigurable metasurfaced antenna
in HFSS. In assembling of the PRMS antenna, the
(PRMS) consists of a planar metasurface (MS) placed
non-copper side of the metasurface (MS) is placed atop of
directly atop of a planar slot antenna. Both the planar slot
the slot antenna and is in direct contact with the feed. The
antenna and metasurface are having circular shape with a
diameter of 78 mm (0.9 0 ) to make compact and low rotation angle R is measured from the y-axis of the unit
profile PRMS antenna. The metasurface (MS) is cell as shown in the Figure 7(a). The PRMS0 antenna is left
composed of corner truncated square unit cells. The hand circular polarization (LHCP) at R =0 and right
polarization reconfigurable metasurfaced antenna (PRMS) hand circular polarization (RHCP) at R =900. The
antenna can
metasurface
be reconfigured to linear polarization, left-hand and
right-hand by rotating the metasurface (MS) around the (MS) is a mirror image of itself at R =0 0
and R
 249

=900.Hence the performance of the antenna is identical in

shape consisting of square patches unit cells with size a×a
LHCP and RHCP. The PRMS antenna is linear
polarization along the y-axis same as the source slot mm2. The gap between the unit cells is ‘g’ mm. The
diameter of the circular radiator of patch antenna is Dp.
antenna when R =450 and R =1350.In this way, the The radiator is printed on one side of the substrate and the
polarization of the antenna can be reconfigured to LHCP, ground plane is on the other side. The patch antenna is fed
RHLP and LP by rotating the metasurface mechanically at the center of the patch through a subminiature version
around the center with respect to source slot antenna. The A (SMA) connector as shown in Figure 10. The
polarization of the antenna at R =0 ,45 ,90
0 0 0
and 1350 is dimensions of the PaRMS antenna design are listed in
shown in Figure 8. Table 8.

Figure 9. (a) Patch antenna (b) Metasurface (MS) (c) Unit cell [80].
(a) b
Figure 7. (a) Geometries of eetasurface (MS) and (b) Slot ntenna [79]

Table 7. Dimensions of PRMS Antenna (Unit in mm)

A b c Sw sl fw fl fy P T
18.5 5.3 1 3 20 2.5 24.5 2 2 78

Figure 10. Assembly Schematic of PaRMS Antenna [80]

Table 8. Dimensions of PaRMS Antenna in mm

a G Dp Da
5.9 0.35 36 70
The Substrates used for the designing of PaRMS
antenna is Rogers substrates RO4350B, having a dielectric
constant ϵr=3.48 and a thickness of 1. 524. The no-copper
side of the metasurface is placed atop of the patch antenna

Figure 8. Antenna Polarization at different rotation angles R [79]
as shown in Figure 6. The Pattern reconfiguration can be
achieved by rotating the semi-circular metasurface with
2.6.3. Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Using Metasurface
respect to the centre of the patch antenna.
The Pattern reconfigurable metasurfaced (PaRMS) The circular patch diameter Dp and the unit cell
antenna is composed of a planar semi-circular metasurface dimension a, have the significant effects on the antenna
(MS) placed directly atop of a planar circular patch performance, with a mainly affecting S11 and Dp affecting
antenna with diameter 70 mm (1.2 λ 0), making it compact both S11 and beam direction. There are two resonances of
and low profile. The Main beam direction of the antenna S11 at around 4.8 GHz and 5.7 GHz with a=7 mm. These
has an angle of 320 from the boresight direction. By two resonances move closer to each other as ‘a’ decreases
rotating the Metasurface (MS) around the centre of the and merge together at 5.12 GHz with a= 5mm. In the
patch antenna, the antenna beam can be steered radiation pattern, the main beam is around -320 and does
continuously. The antenna has an operating bandwidth not change with different values of ‘a’. When the ‘D p’
from 5.4 to 5.6 GHz and measured peak realised gain of value increases from 36 to 42 mm and 44 mm, the tilt
7.2 dBi. The geometry of the PARMS antenna is circular angle of the main beam changes to -320, -200, and -60
shape with diameter Da. It consists of a patch antenna and respectively. The radiation pattern results of PaRMS
a metasurface (MS) as shown in the Figure 9. The antenna are listed in Table 9.
metasurface has a semi-circular
250 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

Table 9. Result of Radiation Patterns

Resonant Frequency 5.4 GHz 5.5 GHz 5.6 GHz

Results Type Simulated Measured Simulated Measured Simulated Measured
Beam direction, deg -32 -32 -32 -32 -30 -30
HPBW,deg -6 to -60 -10 to -58 -8 to -58 -8 to -60 -4 t0 -60 -4 to -58
Realised peak gain,dBi 6.8 6.2 7.7 7.1 7.8 6.5

Table 10. Electrical Properties Comparison of Electrically and Optically Switching

Electrical Property RF MEMS PIN Diode FETs Optical Switch

Voltage[V] 20-100 3-5 1.8-3.3 1.8-1.9
Current[mA] 0 3-20 0.005 0-87
Power Consumption[mW] 0.05-0.1 5-100 <0.033 0-50
Switching Speed 1-200 µSec 1-100 µSec 0.02 µsec 3-9 µSec
Isolation[1-10GHz] Very High High 22-25 dB High
Loss(1-10GHz) [10dB] 0.05-0.2 0.3-1.2 0.7-0.9 0.5-1.5

3. Comparison between Different The comparison characteristics for the different switching
Reconfiguration Techniques techniques used on electrically (RFMEMS/PIN/FETs) and
optically reconfigurable antennas are listed in Table 10.
With the advent of RF-MEMS since 1998, electronic In SMV varactor diodes, the capacitance will change
switching components have been widely used to from 2.22 pF to 0.3 pF when the reverse bias voltage
reconfigure antennas [7]. Although RF-MEMS represent increases from 0 V to 20 V. The specific varactor diode is
an innovative switching mechanism, their response is chosen for the required capacitance tuning range due to its
slower in comparison to PIN diodes and varactors, which low series resistance [55]. The power dissipation of
have response in order of nanoseconds [81]-[82]. In varactor diode is 250 mW and it has capacitance high ratio
addition, one of the major advantages of electronic at low reverse voltage. But as the large number of
switching components is their good isolation and low-loss varactors used in the antenna design, it makes the design
property. Therefore, all these types of switches and complicated and expensive.
especially varactors contribute to scalability of The use of GaAs FETs switches provides less adverse
reconfigurable antennas. biasing effect on antenna performance. The control
The integration of electrical switches into the antenna voltage of these switches is around 3.3 V and the dc
structure is very simple, which can be matched by their current consumption is very low, nearly 5 µA [84]. This
nonlinearity effects (capacitive and resistive) and their leads to low total power consumption and simple
need for high voltage of RF-MEMS and varactor diodes integration of the antenna in portable communication
[83]. Biasing lines are required for the activation of such systems. But the insertion loss is high at high frequency
electrical switches may negatively affect the antenna and sensitive to RF power overstress, temperature. The
radiation pattern and add to more losses. The complexity ‘ON’ resistance of a FET is higher than PIN diode which
of the antenna structure increases as the number of results inferior insertion loss performance of FET switches
switches increases due to the additional bypass capacitors compared to PIN diode switches.
and inductors. Hence, the power consumption of the Physical/mechanical reconfiguration techniques do not
whole system increases which is the disadvantage of require any bias line or resort to laser diodes or optical
electrical reconfiguration technique. fibres to achieve reconfigurability. Slow response, cost,
Optical switches provide reliable reconfiguration size, power source requirements and the complex
mechanism especially in comparison to RF-MEMS. The integration of reconfiguring element into the antenna
activation or deactivation of the photoconductive switch structure are the disadvantages of mechanical
depends on the incident light from the laser diode and that reconfiguration technique.
does not produce harmonics and intermodulation Ferrite-based reconfigurable antennas are of small size
distortion due to their linear behaviour. The optical due to ferrite's high relative permittivity and permeability
switches are integrated into the antenna structure without properties. The main disadvantage of ferrite-based
any complicated biasing lines which eliminates unwanted reconfigurable antennas is its low efficiency that is a
interference, losses and radiation pattern distortion. But common inconvenience for liquid-crystal-based antennas
the main disadvantages of such switches that they exhibit as well, especially at microwave frequencies [46].
lossy behaviour and require a complex activation The main advantages of metamaterial antennas are
mechanism.
 251

compact size, conformal, low cost, high gain, high achieve low insertion loss and it uses complex biasing
efficiency, good radiation pattern, low specific absorption network. Photodetector switches like laser diodes do not
rate, constant size and shape when being tuned. No require any biasing line to increase its performance, with
electrical switches and biasing lines are required to some limitations and is operated in fixed bands.
achieve the reconfigurability in metasurfaced antenna. The cognitive radio applications can be achieved by a
The best reconfiguration technique is always the one compact filtennas with large tunable frequency bands
that is more satisfying to the constraints of the [85]. In [85], a planar ultra-wide band monopole antenna
applications, for example RF-MEMS switches or physical with a tunable T-shaped and H-shaped band pass filter
changes in the structure may be more desirable, since they helps to achieve tenability where the T-shaped filter is
will not include radiation hardened electronics. For composed of a microstrip resonator with a stub and the H-
terrestrial wireless communications, all options are used shaped filter consists of two microstrip resonators
depending on the required speed of operation and the connected with each other. The common tuning technique
overall system requirements. Low frequency metamaterial used for both the filters are stub and also a varactor to get
reconfigurable antennas are used in Bio-medical miniaturization. As varactor signifies variable capacitance,
applications. this implies that with increase in variable capacitance,
there is a decrease in the even resonant mode of the
resonator without affecting the dominant odd mode. The
4. Applications operating band for T-shaped and H-shaped filtennas are
The advancements in wireless communication 1.68 and 1.73 GHz. Cognitive Radio covers 32.9% of the
applications require new generation of reconfigurable frequency tuning range from
antennas which can adjust to the environments and adopt 4.26 to 5.94 GHz and 36.7% frequency tuning that ranges
reconfigurable capabilities as per the surrounding from 3.85 to 5.58 GHz.
conditions. The reconfigurable antennas are used in A cognitive radio can monitor the channel and idle
cognitive radio system, MIMO systems, satellite frequencies of the channel can be determined. Basically,
communication, biomedical application, military and idle frequency deals with the white space or unused space.
industrial applications. Some of the applications are The idle frequency is very useful in reconfigurable
presented here. antenna. After identification of the unused space the
reconfigurable antenna have the ability to tune its
4.1. Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for a operation according to the requirement and thus increase
Cognitive Radio System the efficiency. Basically, the operation of cognitive radio
Due to the rapid growth in the communication system can be represented in a cycle. The cognitive cycle is shown
the demand of frequency band increase that leads to in Figure 11. The first step involves sensing the antenna
scarcity in the RF spectrum. Mainly, the scarcity of RF and observing the antenna activity. Then the cognitive
spectrum arises due to the inefficient spectrum allocation. radio determines the suitable part for communication.
As the frequency bands are used more, the cognitive radio After that the communicating antenna achieves the
(CR) comes into account. To overcome the future required mode of operation. The last and final step
communication problems cognitive radios are used which involves the process achieving cognition. This can be done
improves the spectrum usage efficiently. CR has the by learning from the previous channel activity. The
capability to use the unoccupied space in a wide advantage of the cognitive radio is that it allows the
frequency range by sensing and detecting the available device to self-decide and self-configure. The cognitive
channels before initializing communication. The radio can self-realize the selected mode of communication
development of the CR puts a great challenge to antenna [86].
design. In general, the introduction of CR and allocation
of spectrum offers new challenges to the frequency
reconfigurable antenna as the antenna can tune the
frequency without sacrificing the gain and radiation
properties. There is one way to overcome this solution that
integration of reconfigurable filter to the antenna structure
which is known as filtenna which can be integrated at the
feeding line or also on the ground plane of the antenna.
Most of the reconfiguration mechanisms are integrated
into the ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna in order to
operate in multiband. It can be done by using some
switches such as ideal switches, optical switches, p-i-n
diodes, varactor diodes, linear actuators and also stepper
motors are used for rotation of patches. The p-i-n diode
switches acts as resistances to the flow of current and
requires large amount of DC power for its operation to
Figure 11. The cognitive radio cycle
252 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

4.2. Pattern Reconfigurable Antennas for for handled devices where space is an important constraint
MIMO Systems
[47].
Reconfigurable antennas are used to improve the As an example, we present a design and evaluation of
performance of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless pattern reconfigurable antennas for MIMO applications.
communication system. A MIMO system employs Using two electrically steerable passive array radiator
multiple antennas at both the transmitter and the receiver (ESPAR) antennas, the effect of uniform beam steering on
front ends to send different information simultaneously, MIMO system performance is evaluated. The
thereby increasing the communication spectral efficiency MIMO-ESPAR system reduces the bit error rate (BER) in
in a multipath environment. A MIMO system can adjust certain pattern combinations and improves the channel
the modulation level, coding rate, and the transmission capacity [87]. This ESPAR antenna design consists of one
signalling schemes according to the varying channel driven monopole in the centre, surrounded by a ring of six
conditions and user’s need. The use of radiation uniformly spaced parasitic monopoles. A pair of ESPAR
antennas is fabricated on one substrate. The ESPAR
pattern/polarization reconfigurable antennas in a MIMO
patterns and beam angles with respect to test environment
environment improves the channel reliability, capacity
is shown in Figure 12 [87].
and figure of merit of system performance.
MIMO based antenna has several advantages such as it
Reconfigurable antenna arrays are also an attractive
ensures a reliable communication between end users and
solution for MIMO systems to maintain good
increases the efficiency of spectrum.
communication links, especially

Figure 12. ESPAR patterns and beam angles with respect to test environment [87]
 253

4.3. Reconfigurable Antennas for Satellite Application antenna beam relative to them. It shows low weight and
The data back bone of the future in metropolitan areas less complexity. Loon project shows highly meshed
is not much developed, can be overcome by satellite network that gives high complexity. Mechanical
communication system. Recently, Google announced the alignment of a conventional antenna is one of the
Loon project that involves the flying balloons used to implementation of antenna system with adjustable beam.
provide the internet connection everywhere and to every It is bulk and heavy with drawbacks in terms of cost and
person throughout the world. The flying balloon costs less reliability.
but its life time is very short whereas the satellite costs The microwave components such as phase shifters,
more with life time of many years. tunable filters can overcome the above problems. These
components can be realized as: (1) electronically tuned
systems (2) mechanically tuned systems (3) functional
materials. Basically, the used technologies are based on
semiconductors as it has a high-volume market and shows
acceptable performance.
Liquid crystals are well known for its display
technology shows a mesophase between the solid
crystalline and liquid phase. The LC is in a viscous liquid
phase showing anisotropic material properties. Liquid
crystal can be used for inter-satellite links from LEO to
GEO. The LC layer thickness reduces with increase in the
frequency, results in a much faster tuning of phase shifter.

Figure 13. Different application scenarios for beam-steering and 4.4. Reconfigurable Antennas for
forming antennas on a satellite platform [88] Biomedical Application
Satellite antenna requires a steerable antenna pattern. It Linear or circular polarization reconfigurable antennas
is used for the alignment of the antenna of low-earth-orbit have many advantages which are enhancement of
satellite towards a geo-stationary satellite. The different communication channel, reduction of the multipath
applications for beam-steering and forming antennas on a interference and polarization coding. In most of the cases,
satellite platform is shown in Figure 13. In case of the operating bandwidths are narrow like in case of
satellites and balloons both the nodes should be pointed to microstrip patch radiators. Basically, the polarization
each other to form a backbone network and provides a mismatch occurs in transmitter which can be compensated
networking platform for the users. Figure 13 shows the by polarization diversity in receiver antenna, the
communication between low-earth orbit with the station deterioration in the signal transmission would be affected
i.e. geo-stationary orbit or on ground. Beam steering is by the multi-path distortion and polarization mismatching.
required at the nodes of the antenna. It helps in Polarization diversity is mostly used in the antennas to
adapting the position of the improve the quality of the wireless links.

Figure 14. Application diagram of body-centric wireless communication system [91]

 254 Reconfigurable Antennas and Their Applications

One of the most important examples is body-centric the antenna.

wireless communication system (BWCS) as shown in
Figure 14. Inductive link (short range) and far-field
Radio-frequency link (long range) is two important
approaches of BWCS [89]. The inductive link uses coils
and it has advantages of long distance communication and
high data rate for information transformation. On-body
and Off-body are two wireless devices which are operated
in linear mode and can be realized by PIFAs. Due to free
movement of human body the orientation of these devices
are arbitrary, which may cause multi-path fading. To
overcome multi-path fading and polarization mismatch,
the external receiver antenna requires features like
polarization diversity. The polarization reconfigurability
can be achieved using PIN diodes in multi slot antenna Figure 15. Skin-mimicking Model [92]
[90]. A reconfigurable monopole antenna with a spiral
In the multi-slot antenna, pin diodes are used to switch structure can act as a wearable on the human upper arm
between four polarization modes which are 0⁰, ± 45⁰ and where the spiralling of the monopole antenna can be
90⁰ at frequencies between 2.2 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The achieved for antenna miniaturisation. To change the beam
design results in broadside radiation with wide bandwidth of the antenna, two artificial switches are used. The
and characterized with stable gain for all the modes. In skin-mimicking model can be modelled on the upper arm
[91], the antenna with polarization diversity minimizes of the human body which covers the MedRadio band [92].
polarization mismatching and induces capability of The position of the antenna on the skin determines the
compensating the effect of multipath distortion, which radiation pattern and flexible properties of the antenna
will able to scan different polarizations. One possible communicate with in-/off-body devices. The
scenario of body-centric wireless communication system skin-mimicking model is shown in Figure 15.
(BWCS) with polarization reconfigurable antenna is Flexible and stretchable electronics have been mainly
shown in Figure 10. A patient has several on body and dominated by applications in large areas displays, energy
implantable devices to communicate with an external harvesters, storage devices and implantable electronics,
antenna or receiver which is connected with a data however progress in wearable technologies can generate
processing equipment [91]. Medical doctors can receive immediate impact on equality human life [100].
various real time information of the patient through body
centric wireless communication system (BWCS) network.
4.4.1. Reconfigurable Wearable Fabric Antenna on
5. Conclusions
upper Arm for Med Radio Band Applications The paper presented a comprehensive study on different
System where wireless devices are attached to the aspects of reconfigurable antennas including their function,
human body, On-body and Off-body are most important classification, reconfiguration techniques, and applications.
applications in biological field of communication system Reconfigurable antennas were mainly classified into
with some characteristics such as (i) Miniaturisation (ii) frequency reconfigurable, radiation pattern reconfigurable,
good radiation performance. Low frequency polarization reconfigurable, and compound reconfigurable
inductive-links transmits in a very short range by using electrical, optical, mechanical, and smart material
communication links. One of the best example of this type based tunable structures. A detailed comparison between
of communication is Medical Device Radio different techniques used to implement reconfigurable
Communications Service band (MedRadio) that ranges antennas was presented. The applications of reconfigurable
from 401–406 MHz. As the miniaturisation of these antennas such as cognitive radio, MIMO systems, satellite
antenna dimensions are very difficult to become wearable communications, and biomedical devices were discussed.
in human body but due to its flexibility it can be
accommodated with any human body. The criteria are
satisfied by fabric substrate and one of the flexible
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