Reconfigurable Antennas

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the demands in today's technologies and how reconfigurability contributes in a significant manner. After reviewing the mechanisms underlying the reconfigurability aspect of the antennas and identifying the challenges, the chapter provides all current techniques that are used to reconfigure the antenna parameters for different applications (frequency, radiation pattern, and polarization). Following the different methods and features characterizing the reconfigurability of antenna technologies, the chapter delves into the literature and provides an overview of the most promising techniques. Next, a comparative study of the aforementioned methodologies is given based on the fundamental reconfigurable principles and techniques. Closing this chapter, the auspicious approach of variable reactive loading is discussed. The proposed chapter aims at filling a gap in the literature and providing the readers (researchers, engineers and business organizations) with a useful reference.