Frequency Reconfigurable Ku-Band Miniaturized Planar Antenna for Satellite Communication and its Circuit Modelling

Abstract

This work highlights the design and development of a K_u-band reconfigurable planar antenna on Silicon substrate. Capacitive type shunt RF-MEMS switch is implemented to achieve the frequency re-configurability. Bulk and surface micromachining both processes have been implemented in this single architecture. Effect of micromachining along with other fabricated aspects has been modelled in terms of lumped equivalent circuit elements. Simple approach of modelling paves the way to decipher the mystery of device physics without introducing any mathematical complications. A linearly polarized patch antenna with microstrip feeding shows the frequency reconfigurability of around 200 MHz (14.3 GHz to 14.5 GHz) in the Ku-band is the focus of this modelling aspect.  Finally, a comparative study has been concluded which summarizes the results obtained from circuit modelling and full-wave analysis. It validates the adopted approach throughout the entire work.