Chapter: 4 Design and Methodology (Practical Case)
This chapter presents the practical implementation of the beam
reconfigurable antenna using PIN diodes as electronic switches to
control the phase excitation of the patch elements. The design extends
the ideal model by adding switching capability, enabling dynamic
selection between two signal paths: one direct and the other containing a
180° phase shift. The structure is simulated using co-simulation in ADS,
combining layout and schematic-level analysis for accurate performance
evaluation.
4.1 Structure
In the practical design, two PIN diodes are integrated into the feed
network of the antenna, one in the direct path and the other in the 180°
phase-shifted path. The diodes are placed such that only one of the two
paths is active at a time, depending on the applied bias voltage. The basic
geometry of the antenna remains similar to the ideal case, consisting of
two square patch antennas, a T-junction power divider, and a circular-
slot-based phase shifter.
The layout is modified to include pin connections (terminals) for diode
control. These pins are placed at appropriate points in the layout, and a
symbol is generated for the layout using ADS’s co-simulation feature.
This symbol is then imported into the schematic environment, where the
Figure
4.1 Two
full circuit—including diode models and DC bias—is constructed for
simulation.
Table 4.1 Array antenna dimensions
Parameter Value (mm)
W 33.57
L 33.57
P 16.075
W1 0.42
d 40.16
r2 0.15
S1 0.54
L1 35.83
t1 1.68
L2 35
L3 25.81
L4 19.54
t 0.42
r 7.68
4.2 Working Principle
The PIN diodes act as electronic switches, allowing signal flow through
one path while blocking the other. By applying bias voltages alternately,
the antenna can switch between the 0° phase path and the 180° phase-
shifted path. When the diode in the direct line is forward-biased (ON) and
the other is OFF, the patches receive in-phase signals. When the diode in
the phase-shifted line is ON, the patches are excited with a 180° phase
difference.
This method allows real-time beam reconfiguration using low-power
control signals, making the system more adaptable to varying wireless
communication needs.
Figure Figure
4.2 Diode 4.3 Diode
The practical beam reconfigurable antenna is designed to achieve
dynamic phase control through the use of PIN diodes acting as electronic
switches in the feed network. A total of four diodes—Diode 1 and Diode 2
for the right-sided patch, and Diode 3 and Diode 4 for the left-sided patch
—are incorporated to control the signal flow and phase state of each
antenna element.
Diode 3 is always forward biased with a constant DC supply of +5 V,
ensuring that the left patch consistently receives the input signal. In the
practical design, Diode 3 and Diode 4 are incorporated into the left-sided
patch not for switching purposes, but to maintain symmetrical current
distribution with respect to the right-sided patch. Since the right-sided
patch contains two diodes (Diode 1 and Diode 2) for phase control,
placing Diode 3 and Diode 4 on the left path ensures that the electrical
and physical layout remains balanced, minimizing undesired current
distortion and radiation asymmetry. In this configuration, Diode 3 is
always forward biased to allow signal flow, while Diode 4 is always
reverse biased to isolate the secondary path. This symmetrical
arrangement helps to reduce mismatches and ensures consistent
electromagnetic performance across both antenna elements, especially in
high-frequency operation where layout symmetry plays a critical role in
maintaining radiation quality.
The right-sided patch is the reconfigurable element whose phase is
dynamically controlled through Diode 1 and Diode 2.
When Diode 1 is forward biased and Diode 2 is reverse biased, the input
signal is routed through the 180° phase shifter. In this case, the right
patch receives a signal that is 180° out of phase with respect to the left
patch.
Conversely, when Diode 2 is forward biased and Diode 1 is reverse
biased, the signal bypasses the phase shifter and travels through the
direct path. This results in both patches being fed with in-phase (0°
phase difference) signals.
This switching mechanism enables beam steering by electronically
controlling the phase difference between the two antenna elements.
Depending on the diode biasing configuration, the antenna's main
radiation beam is steered in different directions, demonstrating the
concept of beam reconfigurability.
By integrating this switching network into the layout and utilizing co-
simulation in ADS, both circuit-level control and electromagnetic
behavior are accurately captured, making the design suitable for
practical wireless applications that require adaptable radiation patterns.
In this practical design, all switching elements are modeled using the
D383 PIN diode, which is widely used in RF and microwave applications.
The D383 diode is specifically chosen for its reliable switching
performance at frequencies below 10 GHz, making it well-suited for the
operating frequency of 2.4 GHz in this antenna design. Its low parasitic
effects, fast switching characteristics, and compatibility with co-
simulation modeling in ADS contribute to its effectiveness in controlling
signal paths without significantly degrading antenna performance.
4.3 Simulation and Results
To evaluate the performance of the practical beam reconfigurable
antenna, detailed simulations were conducted using the co-simulation
approach in ADS, combining both electromagnetic and circuit-level
analysis. The primary objective was to observe how the antenna responds
in terms of radiation characteristics when different diode states are
activated. The results include measurements of radiation intensity, gain,
directivity, and the far-field radiation pattern under two configurations:
when the right-sided patch is excited through the 0° path and when it is
excited through the 180° phase-shifted path.
In both configurations, the antenna maintained good radiation
performance, with acceptable levels of gain and directivity at the
operating frequency of 2.4 GHz. The far-field plots clearly show a shift in
the direction of the main radiation beam, confirming successful beam
reconfiguration controlled through diode biasing. The radiation intensity
distribution also reflects the dynamic nature of the beam steering, with
the lobe direction changing in response to the phase difference created
between the two patches.
Furthermore, the antenna maintained stable gain and efficiency in both
phase states, demonstrating that the inclusion of the switching diodes
and the phase shifter did not significantly degrade the antenna’s
radiation quality. These simulation results validate the effectiveness of
the proposed practical design in achieving directional control through
electronically switchable phase excitation.
.
. 0°
0.0003
0°
9
10*log10(mag(Directivity))
5°
45
° 45
10*log10(mag(Gain))
-4
45
°
°
- 0.0002
-11
-31 0.0001
Mag. [W/sterad]
Mag. [dBi]
-90°
90°
-90°
90°
-51
0.0000
-1
35 5°
° 13
-1
5°
35
13
°
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Figure Figure
4.4 Gain 4.5
Radiation
Figure
4.6 Top
Figure
4.7
Table 4.2: Antenna Parameters for 0 degree phase shift
Parameter Value
Directivity 8.57946(dBi)
Gain 6.62351(dBi)
Radiation efficiency (%) 63.7389
Maximum intensity 0.000297596 (Watts/Steradian)
Gain, Directivity .
0°
13 0°
10*log10(mag(Directivity)) 0.00030
3 45
5° ° 10*log10(mag(Gain)) 0.00025 45
-4 5° °
-4
-7 0.00020
0.00015
-17
0.00010
-27 Mag. [W/sterad]
Mag. [dBi]
0.00005
-90°
90°
-90°
-37
90°
0.00000
-1
35 5° -1
° 13 35 5°
° 13
180°
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Figure Figure
4.8 Gain 4.9
Radiation
Figure
4.10 Top
Figure
4.11
Table 4.3: Antenna Parameters for 180 degree phase shift
Parameter Value
Directivity 8.05944(dBi)
Gain 8.05944(dBi)
Radiation efficiency (%) 76
Maximum intensity 0.000280263 (Watts/Steradian)
4.4 Comparisgn between 0 degree and 180
degree phase shifted signal’s radiation intensity.
Radiation Intensity
0°
0.0003
45
5° °
-4 H
0.0002
Mag. [W/sterad] (H)
0.0001
-90°
90°
0.0000
-1
35 5°
° 13
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Figure
4.12
The radiation intensity patterns were compared for both 0° and 180°
phase shift conditions. When the antenna elements were excited with 0°
phase difference, the main radiation beam was observed to be directed
along the z-axis, indicating a broadside radiation pattern, as expected
from a symmetrical two-element array with in-phase excitation.
However, when the signal was shifted by 180°, the radiation pattern
changed significantly. The main beam was no longer aligned with the z-
axis, but instead was steered to an elevation angle of approximately 37°
on both sides of the z-axis. This shift in beam direction clearly
demonstrates the antenna’s ability to reconfigure its radiation pattern by
electronically controlling the phase difference between the elements.
These results confirm that the antenna successfully performs beam
steering through controlled phase excitation, a key requirement in
reconfigurable antenna systems for directional communication.
