Reconfigurable multi-band antenna for WLAN and WiMAX applications

Abstract

In recent technology, multiple wireless access network types are used in heterogeneous networks. This wireless networks are integrated to complement each other in terms of coverage, data rate, mobility support and price. A single device can be integrated with multiple wireless protocol such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), such devices are constrained by performance, weight, cost, size and ease of installation, hence, low profile antennas are required. WLAN (2.4, 5.2 and 5.8 GHz) and WiMAX (3.5 and 5.5 GHz ) applications operates on various standards. To meet the requirement of this standards, a reconfigurable multi-band antenna is proposed in this project. The proposed antenna is composed of a two pairs of F shaped strip, placed within a slotted ground plane and fed by a Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) printed on an FR4 board. The two pairs of F strips, are coupled to the ground plane by means of switches. Reconfiguration is possible by changing the states of the switches. The antenna was design, simulated and measured. The analyses showed a good agreement between the simulation and measured results. The proposed antenna may also be suitable for other future wireless systems such as cognitive radio.