Design of a reconfigurable antenna for cognitive radio

Cognitive radio is an emerging technology for efficient use of the radio spectrum where the spectrum can be used by the unlicensed users without interference with the licensed user. Reconfigurable antennas offer attractive potential solutions to solve the challenging antenna problems related to cognitive radio systems using the ability to switch patterns, frequency and polarization. In this work, a novel frequency reconfigurable E-Shaped patch design is proposed for possible applications in cognitive radio systems. This work provides a methodology to design reconfigurable antennas with Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical System (RF-MEMS) switches. The reconfigurability is achieved in the frequency ranges from 2.2GHz to 4.2GHz respectively. The frequency reconfigurability is done to switch between the frequencies in the cognitive radio. The RF-MEMS switch is used to change the dimensions of the patch to make the antenna to resonate for various frequencies.