Sub-6 GHz Beam-Switched Array Antenna for Wireless Networks

This study introduces the design and development of a beam-switching array antenna for sub-6 GHz wireless communication applications. The proposed design includes four rectangular radiating cells positioned above a rectangular ground plane and fed by a microstrip line. The antenna elements are powered through mutual coupling. The main beam direction can be adjusted by switching four PIN diodes on or off, allowing the beam to be steered in the azimuthal plane at angles of 55°, 125°, 235°, and 305°. The simulation results show a steering capability of 40° in the XZ-plane (ϕ = 0°), ranging from -20° to +20°, and a 50° steering range in the YZ-plane (ϕ = 90°), also from -25° to +25°. For all operating states, the bandwidth is 9.86%. The proposed antenna achieves a peak gain of 7.74 dBi and maintains high efficiency, between 75% and 84%, over the 5.41 GHz to 5.97 GHz operating band. Furthermore, reconfiguring the radiation pattern also enhances gain, bandwidth, and efficiency.