Frequency-Reconfigurable Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna

A coplanar waveguide (CPW) reconfigurable dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is presented and investigated. The DRA is capable of frequency tuning at three different frequency bands between 3.45 and 6.77 GHz. The overall size of the antenna is 50 × 57 mm². The dielectric material is a rectangular block of ceramic with a permittivity of 15. Two switches, implemented using p-i-n diodes, are located on the lines of a feed network that is connected to the dielectric element. Single-band modes with impedance bandwidths of 8% and 16% are achieved by switching “on” one of three connecting feedline networks, whereas a wide band, with an impedance bandwidth of 65%, is achieved by switching “on” two connecting lines. Frequencies in the single band can be independently controlled using switch positions without affecting the wideband mode. The prototype has a low profile with a dielectric resonator thickness of 4 mm. The characteristics of this antenna were studied, and good agreement was found between the numerical and measured results.