Suitability of S-PIN diodes used in reconfigurable antennas

Reconfiguration of the antenna's aperture can be achieved in many ways including mechanical, electronical, optical or magnetical methods. Electrical methods are typically based on PIN diodes, however, surface PIN (S-PIN) diodes have recently attracted a lot of attention in the scientific community. S-PIN diodes can be used to achieve a discrete reconfiguration of: frequency, polarization, or radiation pattern of the antenna. This communication discusses parameters of S-PIN diodes and their suitability for reconfigurable antennas operating in millimeter wave band.