Simulation Design of Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Based On Liquid Metal Switch

In this paper, a pattern reconfigurable antenna based on a liquid metal switch is proposed. The antenna is mainly composed of a printed three-element Yagi-Uda antenna whose reflector is loaded with a slot in the middle. A microfluidic channel, filled with a movable liquid metal post and applied as a manipulating switch, is attached to the surface of the reflector. Due to the coupled connection between the radiating arms and liquid metal post, the slot can be shorted or opened by moving the post, leading to changes in the lead and lag of phases between the radiating elements. Thus, the radiation pattern of the antenna can be adjusted. The simulated results achieved by CST Microwave Studio® indicate that the direction of the maximum radiation can be changed by about 180°, and the antenna can operate at 2.4 GHz at two working states.