Analysis of reconfigurable antenna with moving parasitic elements

Many communications applications require antennas with beam-steering ability and diversity performance. A new reconfigurable antenna is proposed and analyzed. It comprises moving parasitic elements near an active element. As a result of the changing mutual coupling between the parasitic elements and the active element, the antenna pattern changes. By carefully arranging the shape and locus of the parasitic elements, the impedance remains matched. This design has promising pattern-changing ability and is demonstrated to be capable of good diversity performance. By keeping the active element stationary, metal fatigue is eliminated and the reliability of such a mechanical system is improved. A parametric study is undertaken by simulation using commercial software. The diversity performance is evaluated using pattern correlation functions. The accuracy of the simulation software is also checked using canonical antenna configurations, namely the dipole. The results also demonstrate the advantages and limitations of different commercial simulation software.