Basic Evaluation of a Polarization Agile Planar Antenna Utilizing a Double Balanced Multiplier

Abstract

In this paper, a polarization agile planar antenna integrated with a double balanced multiplier is proposed to achieve small and versatile antennas. The proposed antenna is constructed with a microstrip antenna element and four diodes mounted at the center of each edge of the antenna element. As the diodes are connected in a star configuration, they form a double balanced multiplier which realizes a switching between the linear and circular polarizations by the diodes' bias voltage. Furthermore, horizontal/vertical polarization in the linear polarization and RHCP/LHCP in the circular polarization can be switched according to the polarity of the bias voltage. The principle and basic characteristics are experimentally confirmed.