Microstrip antenna system for arbitrary polarization reconfigurability

A microstrip antenna system is presented that allows polarization to be changed dynamically. The patch is fed by two perpendicular microstrip lines whose magnitudes and phases are adjustable via a network consisting of a PIN diode switch, a variable power divider and two variable phase shifters. The system is designed for operation at 2.44 GHz and verified by simulations in HFSS and Designer. Measurements taken of a prototype confirm arbitrary polarization reconfigurability in principle with isolations of 3.9 dB and 8.8 dB between individual polarization states.