Ferrite-loaded SIW antenna - A new type of reconfigurable antenna

A new type of frequency reconfigurable antenna, the ferrite slab loaded substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna, is proposed. Due to the loaded ferrite, the operating frequency of the antenna can be tuned in a wide frequency range by bias magnetic field and the position of ferrite slab in the antenna. Three example reconfigurable SIW antennas are designed, fabricated and measured. The experimental results prove the frequency tunability of the antennas and show the tunable range could be much larger than that of electronic reconfigurable antennas. The radiation pattern and gain of the antenna characterize their good radiation performance which may be promising in wireless communication systems.