A novel dielectric-supported switched parasitic antenna array

A novel dielectric-supported switched parasitic antenna array for mobile wireless communications is developed. The antenna array provides multiple radiation patterns with a single RF port without the need for RF switches or phase shifters in the direct RF signal path. The size reduction of the seven-element monopole antenna was accomplished by employing dielectric-supported structure with a relative permittivity around 2.2. Measured results are used to demonstrate the performance improvement.