High gain reconfigurable symmetrical sector patch antenna loaded with parasitic elements

Objectives To meet the demand for multifunctional antennas in shipborne communication systems, this paper proposes a novel high gain four-beam reconfigurable patch antenna based on Yagi antenna.

Methods It is mainly composed of four symmetrical sector elements. The four PIN diodes used to control the radiation field pattern of the antenna are loaded between the central patch and the four sector components respectively. By switching the on/off state of the PIN diode, the antenna beam direction can be controlled to achieve four directional patterns. By adding arc-shaped parasitic units as reflectors or deflectors, the antenna gain is increased and the side lobe is suppressed.

Results The experimental results show that the antenna can achieve four types of beam pointing with azimuth plane \varphi = 45^\circ , \varphi = 135^\circ , \varphi = 225^\circ , \varphi = 315^\circ in four modes. In the range of 5.47 to 6.05 GHz, a high average gain of 7.46 dBi can be achieved for all modes.

Conclusions This antenna has the advantages of high gain, low profile, and simple control. It can dynamically adjust the radiation direction of the antenna according to the communication needs of ships, reduce signal interference, and improve communication quality.