The synaptic antenna for reconfigurable array applications-behavior

The synaptic antenna is a matrix of thin conductive line segments joined (synapsed) at nodes with photoconducting cells (Photistor) that can be switched on by optical energy alone. The authors report on the input impedance and gain patterns of some horizontal dipole arrays: the broadside two-dipole array and the collinear dipole pair, with and without parasitic elements. These characteristics were computed using a thin-wire version of the Numerical Electromagnetics Code. The conductive and capacitive properties of the Photistors alter the input impedances considerably but do not significantly affect the relative gain patterns. The effect that the parasitic segments of the synaptic matrix have on an antenna´s radiation characteristics is presented. These results demonstrate the potential of this technology to obtain reconfigurable antenna elements and arrays using synaptic antenna structures.<>