A compact multiband frequency reconfigurable antenna integrated with sextuple band artificial magnetic conductor for heterogeneous wireless applications

Abstract As wireless communication continues to grow, reconfigurable antenna technologies have emerged as an optimal choice for multiband antennas. This study incorporates a 4 × 4 Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) surface into a compact multiband frequency-reconfigurable antenna for diverse wireless applications. The antenna featured interconnected octagonal and rectangular patch slots in a radiating element with a defective ground structure. The antenna uses two-pin diodes to switch between four distinct working modes that produce dual wideband, triple-band, and quad-band responses. The AMC unit cell exhibits sextuple-band behavior at 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, 6.5 GHz, 8.7 GHz, 10.5 GHz, and 11.4 GHz, with Double Negative material properties. The integrated antenna with dimension 50 × 50 × 10.2 mm 3 achieves an average gain enhancement of 3.29 dB across its four switching states, with a peak Front-to-Back Ratio (FBR) reaching 31.23 dB, a notable radiation efficiency of 87 % with an average back lobe gain reduction of 13.75 dB. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) reached a minimum of 0.0594 W/kg with an overall average reduction of 93.25 %. The antenna was tested in an anechoic chamber using a vector network analyzer, and the results matched the simulations. Ultimately, the antenna design offers a compact, low-profile configuration that is ideal for versatile wireless applications with multiple bands and modes.