Self-structuring antenna for television reception

This paper investigates the use of a self-structuring antenna for television reception. Information about the received signal strength is obtained from the automatic gain control circuit of the television and used to determine the appropriate antenna structure. Because of the large number of possible configurations, a genetic algorithm is used to search for optimal switch arrangements. The antenna template and software were developed by undergraduate students at Michigan State University; refinement of the antenna by a core group of undergraduates is currently being undertaken.