Smart patch antenna for indoor mobile wireless computing

Two types of circular-polarized smart patch antenna arrays, namely patch antenna with seven hexagonal elements (PASHE) and patch antenna with seven circular elements (PASCE) for indoor mobile wireless computing are investigated. A comparison between simulated and measured reflection coefficient was made with consistent results. The finite element method (FEM) and optimization using a gradient algorithm was carried out to optimize these patch antennas' physical structures on a finite ground plane to achieve optimal directivity in elevation plane and antenna gain at 2.4GHz operating frequency. Switched parasitic technique enables the two patch antennas to steer a directional beam through six locations in azimuth with elevation of approximately 65/spl deg/ for the former and 70/spl deg/ for the latter respectively. The low profile and low cost characteristics along with the simplistic beam control system of these smart patch antennas are ideal prototypes for commercialization.