Parametric study of a planar switched parasitic array antenna

This paper presents an investigation into the design parameters of a planar switched parasitic array antenna for possible use in wireless communication. This proposed antenna provides multiple radiation patterns by controlling the status of switches. The effect of the central cylindrical metal via radius, the feed location, the hexagonal patch size, the spacing between patch elements, and the ground plane size on the antenna resonant frequency and radiation pattern are studied. It is found that the patch size and the central cylindrical metal via radius can be used as a major means to tune the antenna resonant frequency and good impedance matching can be achieved by adjusting the feed position. Also, the spacing between patch elements and the ground plane size are the key parameters in determining the radiation characteristics.