60 GHz agile EBG-based antenna with reconfigurable pattern

A new topology of 60 GHz agile antenna based on EBG structures is presented with the aim of pattern reconfigurability. A design based on the idea of dividing the EBG unit-cells into eight sectors is considered. The EBG sectors are placed symmetrically around the antenna to achieve beam steering in the whole azimuth plane with an optimal design and a reduced level of complexity by using minimal number of diodes. Each sector is composed of twenty three square-patch mushroom EBG unit cell. The vias in each sector are connected through thin metallic veins printed on a conductor-backed dielectric slab. The metallic veins are then connected to the ground plane through a switching diode. Each sector is controlled by one diode