PLANAR ANTENNA WITH PATTERN RECONFIGURABILITY FOR IOT APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This paper introduces an economical and space-efficient radiation pattern reconfigurable planar antenna system designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications operating at the 5 GHz frequency range. The proposed system combines a Rotman lens and series-feed array antennas. Featuring a four-input, six-output Rotman lens, the system facilitates the generation of four switchable beams directed at angles of -25°, 0°, +15°, and -15°. The series-feed array ensures minimized side lobe levels and a compact form factor suitable for Wi-Fi frequencies, utilizing a six-port 3 × 3 series-feed planar antenna array design. The Rotman lens and series-feed array prototypes were separately fabricated using a cost-effective FR4 substrate with dimensions of 102 × 102 × 1.6 mm³ and 92 × 92 × 1 mm³, respectively. Both the beam forming Rotman lens and the series-feed microstrip array demonstrate a gain of 10 dBi at 5 GHz. The measured and simulated results exhibit good agreement, emphasizing the antenna's cost-effectiveness, ease of fabrication, and simplicity, making it wellsuited for IoT applications. The antenna simulation in our research leveraged the sophisticated CST Studio Suite software. This study constitutes a significant stride in comprehending the intricate interplay among diverse antenna components, offering a crucial breakthrough in addressing the complex challenges inherent in designing and manufacturing antennas for IoT applications. Our research unveils cost-effective and efficient solutions tailored for industrial antenna production. The incorporation of a Rotman lens with antenna array techniques not only streamlines design and manufacturing but also substantially cuts costs, utilizing FR4 material. This innovative approach holds tremendous potential for advancing antenna technology in both IoT applications and industrial manufacturing, marking a pivotal step toward more accessible and efficient solutions in the realm of wireless communication.