Compact frequency reconfigurable array antenna based on diagonally placed meander-line decouplers and PIN diodes for multi-range wireless communications

In this paper, a compact frequency reconfigurable 2 x 2 array antenna based on diagonally placed meander-line (ML) complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) decouplers and PIN diodes has been demonstrated. The ML-CSRR structured on the ground plane helps to reduce the mutual coupling between closely located patches (2 mm, 0.015 lambda(0)). The PIN diodes which act as switches have been located over the gap between neighboring patches. The antenna operates at 2.4 Gift when PIN diodes are reverse-biased (off-state), while it is reconfigured to operate at 914 MHz when the PIN diodes are changed to forward-biased (on-state). Design is fine-tuned with High Frequency Structure Simulator (HESS, ANSYS Inc.). The antenna has been fabricated and characterized. The simulated and measured results have been compared. At 2.4 GHz, when the switch is in off-state, the antenna can be used for short-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while at 914 MHz, when the switch is in on-state, it can be planned for the usage of Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) with the long-range wireless communication technology including low power wide area networks (LPWAN).