Review on Multifunctional Pattern and Polarization Reconfigurable Antennas

This paper presents a detailed review of multifunctional pattern and polarization reconfigurable antennas, highlighting their potential to enhance performance of the wireless communication systems. These adaptable antennas offer versatile functionalities, eliminating the need for multiple antennas. The review provides a comprehensive overview of various techniques used to achieve reconfiguration, including electrical, optical, physical, and smart materials-based methods. It discusses the advantages, limitations, and practical considerations associated with each technique. The paper also explores the applications of reconfigurable antennas across diverse domains such as wireless LAN system, 5G communication, cellular network, underground mining, MIMO system, electromagnetic imaging, satellite communication, and cognitive radio. The review includes a comparative study between pattern reconfigurable antennas and multifunctional pattern and polarization reconfigurable antennas. The multifunctional pattern and polarization reconfigurable antennas are categorized into pattern reconfigurable antennas radiating in different directions, beam steering antennas with linear polarization reconfiguration, beam steering antennas with circular polarization reconfiguration, and beam steering antennas with both linear and circular polarization reconfigurations. Finally, challenges and future research directions in the design of multifunctional pattern and polarization reconfigurable antennas are discussed.