Liquid Metal Reconfigurable Phased Array Antenna

A design for a phased array antenna using liquid metal (LM) technology is presented. The phased array antenna uses substrate integrated waveguides (SIW) feeding structure to excite a 1×4 printed dipole antenna array. The phase distribution on SIW power dividers is manged using LM shorting vias inside the SIW. The integrated LM vias offers an extensive phase tuning range of $360^\circ$ delivering stable, low-loss, and wide bandwidth. In more detail, the reconfigurability of phase control within the array can be realized by manipulating the presence or absence of liquid metals in designated vias in the SIW. A prototype of the LM phased array antenna, operating at 10 GHz, has been measured, demonstrating an impedance bandwidth exceeds 10% with maximum gain of higher than 8 dBi and a scanning range of approximately ±40° along the end-fire direction. This technology holds promise as a reliable and cost-effective solution for wideband phased array applications.