| dc.description.abstract | Reconfigurable microstrip patch antennas are useful in many applications including satellite communications, navigation, radar, and radio. The purpose of this project is to design a reconfigurable antenna to be embedded in a structural composite for an autonomous vehicle. The antenna is a derivative of an aperture coupled microstrip antenna. It is designed using ANSYS Electromagnetics Desktop software and optimized in simulation by studying how various parameters affect its performance, such as the dimensions of the antenna patch and aperture. In this research project, the antenna is designed to operate at 2.4 GHz. The prototype antenna is fabricated on FR4 epoxy material using a milling machine and tested with a network analyzer and in an anechoic chamber. After analyzing the experimental and simulation results, the design process is reiterated to achieve the best electromagnetic performance. A major benefit to reconfigurable antennas is the ability to accommodate changing operating requirements. Solid state reconfiguration mechanisms (RF PIN diodes, RF MEMs, and varactors) are explored to reversibly configure operating frequencies. Moreover, the reconfiguration of the antenna would provide advantages such as reversible changes, additional functionality, and flexibility for many applications at a low cost. | en |
