A Low-Cost Multifunctional Antenna Array for Internet of Things (IoT) Applications

To address the demands for multifunctional, low-cost, and compact Internet of Things (IoT) applications, this letter proposes an antenna radiation and scattering control method based on a novel feed network. A multifunctional antenna array (MAA) is designed by the proposed method, achieving wireless communication, target tracking, and interference suppression modes. To realize multi-mode operation, a reconfigurable signal transmission path regulator (RSTPR) is introduced, which allows the reconstruction of transmission routes in the feed network. By changing the operating state of the RSTPR, radiation and scattering characteristics of the antenna can be controlled respectively. By simulation and measurement, the MAA exhibits excellent radiation characteristics in wireless communication mode. In the target tracking mode, the MAA achieves retrodirective over a wide angular range. In the interference suppression mode, the MAA demonstrates dual-polarization radar cross-section suppression, reducing interference with other devices. This proposed MAA features multifunctionality and low-cost, enabling flexible control of its radiation and scattering characteristics, which is suitable for IoT scenarios, such as smart cities and smart transportation, etc.