A Dual-band Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Based on Liquid Metal

Research on the realization of reconfigurable antennas using liquid metal is increasing, especially based on eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn). In this work we present a frequency-tunable liquid metal antenna with the capability of reconfiguration of pattern. The antenna is in the form of quarter-mode substrate integrated waveguide (QMSIW), which is composed of two driven patches fed through coaxial lines and six microfluidic channels embedded on the substrate. The substrate adopted Rogers RT 5880. The pattern reconfiguration of the antenna can be performed by changing the injection area of the liquid metal in the micro channel. By filling/emptying a non-plated via hole with EGaIn, the operating frequency can be changed. This switchable linearly polarized antenna is designed to work at 4.12 GHz and 4.67GHz. Simulation results verify our design.