Pattern reconfigurable square ring patch antenna actuated by hemispherical dielectric elastomer

A pattern reconfigurable square ring patch antenna comprising a movable parasitic plate within the ring patch is presented. The plate is actuated using a hemispherical dielectric elastomer actuator. Small variations of the height of the parasitic plate (i.e. below, level, or above the ring patch) can significantly alter the antenna radiation pattern while maintaining reasonable impedance matching. Experimental results are presented for the radiation pattern and the return loss for different parasitic plate positions.