Implementation of an optically-controlled antenna in a dual-band communications system: Systemic characterization with photonic down conversion

This work presents the development of an optically controlled slot antenna, capable of operating at two different resonant frequencies, 2.5 GHz and 5.1 GHz. A silicon switch controls the frequency operation. The proposed antenna design was analyzed in terms of S-parameters and gain. Measured results show a difference of 20 dB for the reflection coefficient and 3 dB in the antenna gain, between the switch “on” and “off” states. The prototype was also tested under a data transmission in a multi band photonic down conversion system. Measurements results show the quality antenna performance in the reception compared to a fixed broadband antenna.