Title :
Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-Based Pattern-Reconfigurable Antenna
Author :
Kowalewski, Jerzy ; Mahler, Tobias ; Reichardt, L. ; Zwick, T.
Author_Institution :
Inst. fur Hochfrequenztech. und Elektron. (IHE), Karlsruhe Inst. of Technol. (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
Abstract :
This letter presents a realization method of reconfigurable antenna systems based on smart materials. The reconfigurability is obtained by utilizing shape memory alloy directors. This realization method offers a longer lifetime and lower energy consumption than conventional approaches such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) or p-i-n diodes. As a proof-of-concept, a compact reconfigurable antenna for the 2.6-GHz Long Term Evolution (LTE) band was designed. The designed antenna is a quasi-Yagi antenna with its directors made from shape memory alloy. This antenna is made to be installed in a standard car-roof antenna housing. A prototype of the antenna presented here has been fabricated and measured.
Keywords :
Long Term Evolution; UHF antennas; Yagi antenna arrays; alloys; directive antennas; intelligent materials; mobile antennas; software radio; Long Term Evolution band; SMA; bandwidth 2.6 GHz; compact reconfigurable antenna; mobile data rates; multimedia services; quasi-Yagi antenna; realization method; shape memory alloy directors; shape memory alloy-based pattern-reconfigurable antenna; smart materials; standard car-roof antenna housing; wireless systems; Antenna measurements; Antenna radiation patterns; Directive antennas; Shape; Shape memory alloys; Wires; Automotive antenna; Yagi; reconfigurable antenna; shape memory alloy (SMA); smart materials;
Journal_Title :
Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LAWP.2013.2293593
