Low Cost Reconfigurable Landstorfer Planar Antenna Array

In this paper, we introduce a practical design for a Landstorfer planar antenna that can be implemented as a compact and low cost reconfigurable planar antenna array. The array, we propose, can have 360-degree coverage in azimuth and allows a wide variety of directive beams to be electronically selected while maintaining a simple structure, ease of manufacture and low cost with high efficiency. One of the possible applications for this array is in WLAN systems where high gain and low cost adaptable antennas promise increases in capacity and coverage. The array design utilizes key innovations in the design of Landstorfer antennas and feed/switching network. The Landstorfer antenna exhibits a high gain with 9.5 dBi and low mutual coupling between elements. A proposed reflector for the Landstorfer antenna is implemented and it allows the antenna array to be fabricated on a 2-layer PCB board. We also present a low cost feed/switching network which allows flexible control of the antenna patterns. The design makes use of PIN diodes as switching elements and a resonant inductor to improve the isolation of the PIN diodes. By integrating the antenna elements, feed/switching network and array configuration, a low cost reconfigurable Landstorfer planar array can be formed.