Pattern-Reconfigurable Planar Array Antenna Characterized by Digital Coding Method

We propose a low-profile and high-gain pattern-reconfigurable planar array antenna (PRPAA) based on digital coding characterization. The radiating elements in the PRPAA are designed ingeniously to realize digital “0” and “1” elements. By dynamically encoding the digital radiating elements with different coding patterns, various radiation beams can be achieved and switched in real time based on one antenna aperture. More importantly, for different coding patterns, the number and direction of the radiation beams of the digital PRPAA can be well predicted. We fabricate such a PRPAA and validate its digital-controllable radiation patterns experimentally. This communication provides many opportunities to realize low-cost, lightweight, high-gain, and multi-unit PRPAA, which offers promising applications in massive multi-in multi-out (MIMO) antenna array system, smart antenna, radar system, and dynamic microwave imaging.