Stacked Reconfigurable Antenna Elements

for Space-Based Radar Applications '

J. T. Bernhard*, R. Wang, R. Clark, and P. Mayes
Electromagnetics Laboratory
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana. IL 61801

Introduction
This paper details progress on the development of MEMS switch-reconfigurable antenna
array elements for space-based radar. The ultimate goal is a reconfigurable array on a
flexible substrate with a minimum number of switches, low profile, and MEMS switching
that provides operation over several bands, a wide range of polarizations, and multiple or
scanned beams. The basic antenna structure consists of a microstrip bowtie with a mixed
dielectric substrate. These designs provide 25% impedance bandwidths, more than
double that of previously reported microstrip bowtie antennas [ 1, 21. Measurements
indicate that each antenna element achieves acceptable radiation patterns necessary for
array scanning. The reconfigurable array concept consisting of antennas for two separate
bands and multiple polarizations is also discussed.

Antenna Structure
The basic antenna structure consists of a balanced bowtie antenna with a mixed dielectric
substrate composed of a polymer material (E, = 3.0) and foam (E, = 1.0). Figures I
and 2 provide the dimensions of the antenna prototypes for a lower band (2.7-3.5 GHz)
and upper band (7-9 GHz) respectively.

Figure I : Dimensions of lower band (2.7-3.5 GHz) prototype balanced antenna element.

' This work was supported by the DARPA RECAP Program under grant # F33615-99-C-1519

0-7803-7070-8/01/$10.00 0 2 0 0 1 IEEE 158

 Top View

Side View

t3.15 inn1
+-
4.5 nim

Figure 2: Dimensions of upper band (7-9 GHz) prototype balanced antenna elemunt

Measurement Results
Each of these designs was tested for both impedance bandwidth and radiation
characteristics. 180’ phase shifts between the two inputs of the antennas were
accomplished using 180’ hybrid couplers. The results of the impedance bandwidth
measurements of each half-bowtie antenna are provided in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 also
includes simulation results using IE3D [3]. Each antenna is intended to have ii 25%
impedance bandwidth as defined by a 2:l VSWR. The measured bandwidths lor the
lower and upper frequency bands are 23% and 25% respectively with small frequency
shifts away from the intended bands. The differences between the intended operation and
the measurements were caused by fabrication inaccuracies in the heights of the foam
layers of the substrates.

.. . .

2 70 2.90
7--

3 10
-
3 30
7

3 50
- -- I
I

3 70
Frequency [GHzl

Figure 3: Measured and simulated VSWR for the lower band (2.7-3.5 GHz) antenna.

Figures 5 and 6 provide representative E-plane and H-plane radiation pattern

measurements of the two antennas near their midbands. Across their entire frequency
bandwidths, all of the patterns exhibit good broadside characteristics that support
scanning to 45 degrees and reasonable cross-polarization levels.

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 6 50 700 750 800 850 900
Frequency [GHz]

Figure 4: Measured VSWR for upper band (7-9 GHz) antenna

Figure 5 : E-plane (left) and H-plane (right) radiation pattern measurements for the lower
band antenna at 3.0 GHz.

Figure 6: E-plane (left) and H-plane (right) radiation pattern measurements for the upper
band antenna at 8.0 GHz.

Array Concept
The array conccpt for the stacking of lower band and upper band elements is shown
below in Figure 7. Polarization variability at each feed point is supported by orthogonal
placement of two bowtie elements. Array operation in the lower band requires that the

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upper band elements be disconnected via MEMS switches below the ground plane. In
this stacked configuration, the upper band elements act as floating parasitic elements for
the lower band elements, slightly broadening the impedance bandwidth. Operation of the
upper hand elements requires that the lower band elements be grounded via MEMS
switches. In this configuration, the lower band elements act as the ground plane for the
upper band elements.

Figure 7: Stacked reconfigurable array concept. Lower and upper band elements are
alternatively activated using MEMS switches.

Conclusion
Antenna elements suitable for inclusion in a reconfigurable array have been presented.
The impedance bandwidths of the elements are roughly 25% and radiation patterns of
individual elements support scanning to 45 degrees. Future work includes development
of a substrate configuration that minimizes coupling between contiguous array elements
and mitigates blind angles.

References
[l] S. Uysal, M. S. Leong, and C. H. Ng, “Bowtie patch antennas and simple arrays for
wireless indoor communications,” IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory &
Techniques, vol. 41, no. 6, pt. I, June 1999, pp. 138-145.
[2] K. W. Loi, S. Uysal, and M. S. Leong, “Design of a wideband microstrip bowtie
patch antenna,” IEE Proceedings-Microwaves Antennas & Propagation, vol. 145, no. 2,
April 1998, pp. 137-140.
[3] IE3D, version 8.0. Zeland Software Inc.

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