Characteristic Evaluation of a 12-Patch Active Array Antenna Integrated With a Gunn Oscillator and Polarization Modulators

Abstract

We have proposed a new spatial modulation system using polarizations, and several advanced planar antennas have been also examined to achieve the spatial modulation system with simple configurations. So far, an active array antenna which integrates a 12-patch microstrip array antenna and Gunn oscillator has been experimentally evaluated. In this paper, a microstrip array antenna integrated with a Gunn oscillator and two polarization modulators is proposed and evaluated. As a result of the experimental evaluation using a prototype antenna, it was confirmed that the polarization angle of the antenna was switched by changing the bias voltage applied to the modulator. The cross-polarization suppression was around 10 dB.