Slot-based Pattern Reconfigurable ESPAR Antenna for IoT Applications
Abstract
In this paper, a slot-based electronically steerable parasitic array radiator (ESPAR) antenna suitable for Internet of-Things (IoT) applications is proposed. The antenna can provide 12 directive and 2 slightly different omnidirectional radiation states. The 12 directive patterns allow the antenna to focus the radiated energy towards 6 different directions uniformly distributed in the azimuth plane and with 2 different beamwidths. The reconfiguration of the radiation pattern is based on the use of low-capacitance low-power consuming diodes that can be digitally controlled. The paper details the design of the antenna structure and the practical implementation of the reconfiguration mechanism, discussing the effects of real electronic components on the antenna performance. The antenna effectiveness is numerically and experimentally assessed.