A Reconfigurable Patch Antenna Using Switchable Slotted Structure for Polarization Diversity

In this paper, a novel design of an Octagonal shape micro strip patch antenna with switchable slots (PASS) structure is proposed to achieve polarization diversity. Two orthogonal slots are incorporated into the patch and two p-i-n diodes are utilized to switch the slots on and off. By turning the diodes on or off, this antenna can radiate with linear and circular polarization, either right hand circular polarization (RHCP) or left hand circular polarization (LHCP) using the same feeding probe. The proposed antenna structure has radiation performance at 4.62 GHz and an acceptable axial ratio (AR <; 3 dB) is achieved in a broad angular range for RHCP and LHCP from -60 to 60 degrees from boresight. This proposed design demonstrates useful features for wireless communication applications and future planetary missions.