A phased array design using a novel pattern reconfigurable antenna element

A novel pattern reconfigurable patch antenna is proposed. For the proposed antenna, the surface of the radiation patch is vertical to the ground plane, and it can be considered as a one-dimensional wire antenna. By embedding two positive-intrinsicnegative diodes into the radiating patch, a pair of tilted beams can be generated in the E plane, and they are directed to theta = +/- 30 degrees; besides, a side lobe level of less than -15 dB is also obtained. The mechanism of generating the tilted beams is explained. Based on the pattern reconfigurable antenna, a 1 x 8 phased array is designed. Both measured and simulated results demonstrate that the phased array operated at 3.45 GHz can give a gain fluctuation of less than 1 dB when the beam is scanned from -70 degrees to 70 degrees, and a side lobe level of lower than -11 dB is realized in the scanning range from -60 degrees to 60 degrees. Details of antenna structures and array performances are presented.