Time-Domain Characteristics of a Novel Pattern-Reconfigurable Pulse Radiating Antenna

A novel pattern-reconfigurable pulse radiating antenna (PRA) and its time-domain characteristics are studied. According to different configurations of the switches, the antenna works in two symmetrical states, each operating as an antipodal Vivaldi antenna. Due to the symmetrical structure, the energy patterns of the two states are images of each other with respect to the symmetric axis. The 3-dB beam of the energy patterns can cover the angle of the antenna's symmetric axis. In the beam range, low cross polarization is also achieved. The two states share a common bandwidth from 2 to 6 GHz for ${ S}_{11}<-10~$dB. The proposed antenna can also radiate a 2$,sim,$ 6 GHz Gaussian pulse with high fidelity. Both simulated and measured results are presented to verify the design.