2. Contents
Abstract
Brief Introduction
Summary of Literature Review
Research Gaps
Objectives
Problem Formulation
Methodologies
PERT Chart/ Milestones
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3. Abstract
Antennas are an important core element of any communication system for
Transceiving signals in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
Modern electronic and WC technologies necessitate compact and multifunctional
antennas that are suitable for adapting in changing operating scenarios.
RA is an antenna capable of modifying its frequency and radiation properties
dynamically, in a controlled and reversible manner.
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4. Brief Introduction
Software Defined Antennas
SDA design reflects a coherent integration between switching reconfigurable-
circuits and the plain antenna designs to provide frequency band reconfiguration.
Common reconfigurable antenna design techniques use RF-switches, as the main
elements to design antennas with tuneable parameters, in order to achieve good
matching and avoid signals interference.
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5. Classified according to the
Antenna parameter 5
1.Frequency reconfiguration: can adjust dynamically their frequency of operation.
2.Radiation pattern reconfiguration: based on the intentional modification of the
spherical distribution of radiation pattern.
3.Polarization reconfiguration: are capable of switching between different polarization
modes
4.Compound reconfiguration: capability of simultaneously tuning several antenna
parameters, for instance frequency and radiation pattern.
6. Conceptual Schematic of a SDA
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Fig. 1. illustration of conceptual schematic of a software defined antenna.
7. Figure 3:Fabricated prototype ,frequency response for different
voltage values. Reproduced with permission from [20],
Copyright IEEE, 2014
Fig. 2. Examples of Ultra Wide Band
antennas used with SDRs
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8. RAArchitecture
Mechanically Movable Parts
Reconfigurable Arrays
RF Switches:
1. Semiconductor Switch
2. MEMS Switches
Tunable Materials
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Figure 4:Frequency and Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna
for Emerging Wireless Communication Systems.
Src:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/8/4/407
9. Summary of Proposed Project
RA plays important roles in smart and adaptive systems and are the subject of many research
studies.
Advantages of SDA are multifunctional capabilities, minimized volume requirements, low front-
end processing efforts with no need for a filtering element, good isolation, and sufficient out-of-
band rejection;
Major advantage is in Wireless Applications such as 4G and 5G mobile terminals.
Active devices like MEMS, RF- Switches, varactor diodes, p-i-n diodes as its building blocks
Antenna has to be reconfigurable into many different states, then it needs to have an adequate
number of active elements.
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10. Objectives
To investigate the feasibility of a single re-configurable structure
comprising multiple radiating sections.
To operate for various frequency of operation.
Various polarisations which suits for different radio systems.
Various radiation patterns which suits for different radio systems
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11. Problem Formulation
The current research on reconfigurable antennas has revealed numerous
drawbacks in existing RA designs
1) Identifying the methods and technologies of reconfigurability, scope and
limitations of current approaches to generate new concepts and realise better
reconfigurable antenna designs.
2) Basing designs on structural simplicity and ease of control.
3) Designing of wideband reconfigurable antenna.
4) Developing a low-profile 360˚ beam-scanning antenna
5) Integrating multiple reconfigurability functions
6) Realising narrow-beam scanning frequency tunable antenna
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12. Methodologies
The implementation process of reconfigurable antennas includes
antenna design, simulation, fabrication and measurements.
several factors are considered: system performance requirements
(operating frequency, bandwidth, directivity, efficiency, power
consumption, etc.).
Other limitations such as the antenna size, cost, fabrication
capabilities, etc. For static single antenna designs, these factors are
needed to be considered once.
A suitable simulation environment, should be carefully chosen.
3D models simulation environment.
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13. Compute the relevant antenna performance parameters, such as
resonant frequency, bandwidth, S-parameters, gain, input
impedance, directivity, among others.
Fabrication of the patch antenna using standard silk screen printing
PCB manufacturing technique.
In the prototypes, the switches are realized by the presence or
absence of a conductive path.
The measurements are performed on standard measuring set up and
equipment.
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