Switched beam patch array antenna using SPDT GaN HEMT switches

Abdelaziz Hamdoun (1) , Mohamed Himdi (1) , Olivier Lafond (1) , Langis Roy (2)

1 IETR - Institut d'Électronique et des Technologies du numéRique
2 UOIT = Ontario Tech University - University of Ontario Institute of Technology

In this article, a single-fed 4-panel 4 x 1 patch array antenna operating at 2.43 GHz with switched beam capability is proposed. The design allows the beam to be switched between 4 discrete directions giving 360 degrees coverage. The antenna beam is switched over the azimuth plane for phi=0 degrees, phi=90 degrees, phi=180 degrees, and phi=270 degrees. The beam control is achieved using GaN-based HEMT SPDT switches. Only 3 SPDT switches are integrated directly into the structure, allowing its nature to be electrically controlled over the desired 4 directions. Simulated and measured reflection coefficients and radiation patterns for the 4 cases are presented and discussed, showing good agreement. The antenna gain is around 3.8 dB including switches losses at 2.43 GHz.

Mots clés: gan technology; spdt switch topology; switched beam antenna

Domaines: Réseaux et télécommunications [cs.NI]; Electronique

Abdelaziz Hamdoun, Mohamed Himdi, Olivier Lafond, Langis Roy. Switched beam patch array antenna using SPDT GaN HEMT switches. Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, 2017, 59 (7), pp.1558--1562. ⟨10.1002/mop.30584⟩. ⟨hal-01534210⟩