FPGA controlled reconfigurable antenna

At the present time, the advantages of reconfigurable antennas are numerous but limited by the method of controlling their configuration. This thesis proposes to utilize the advantages of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to overcome this dilemma. Two experimental antennas are designed. The first reconfigurable antenna consists of two patches connected by two diodes. The second reconfigurable antenna has sixteen possible combinations and is designed with four perimeter patches also connected via diodes. The electromagnetic modelling software HFSS is utilized to predict the resulting radiation patterns and resonances of the possible configurations. A computer program is created to interface a user with the FPGA controlling the antenna. A module for receiving instructions and asserting biasing signals is programmed onto the FPGA. Finally, a prototype antenna is fabricated using a mechanical etching machine. Experimental results are examined using a network analyzer. The FPGA system is connected to the reconfigurable antenna. Both experimental and theoretical results show that configurable tuning is achieved