Pattern controllable vehicular antenna with CRLH transmission line for telematics

Miniaturization and integration techniques of vehicular antennas are necessary to strike a balance between installing these antennas and keeping design of vehicles. In addition, in order to adapt to various wireless communication systems, controlling of radiation patterns is important. A cell-phone antenna is mounted mostly to rooftop of a vehicle. In such case, radiation patterns are significantly influenced by the configuration of the rooftop which is used as a ground plane[1]. From a cost standpoint, it is difficult for manufacturers to develop different antennas to adapt to various types of vehicle. Therefore, it is preferable that these antennas have a capability of a radiation pattern control in advance.