Switched Multibeam Circular Array With a Reconfigurable Network

In this communication, switched multibeam circular array with a reconfigurable network is presented. By using the reconfigurable network instead of the switch in the conventional switched multibeam array, an additional beam can be provided with each two adjacent elements, and the gains at the depressed areas between each two adjacent original beams are improved. Good matching and isolation performances are realized in single-path mode (single element selected) and two-path mode (two adjacent elements selected). In addition, better mitigation of the fading from multipath propagation can be obtained, since more diversity patterns with low correlations are provided. For verification, a 5-GHz array with a reconfigurable network and six square patch antennas is designed and measured.