Electromechanical controlled phased array dumbbell EBG beam steerer
A steerable phased array antenna driven mechanically is realized by utilizing the variation of dumbbell electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures. The variation takes place under the feed line of a 4-element array that gives the change in relative phase shift. The phase shift achieved from different shaping combinations of EBGs shifting under the feed lines. The feed lines are connected with four microstrip patches to yield a 4-element phased array antenna. The mechanical controlled pattern shapes of phase array antenna are simulated in electromagnetic (EM) software Zeland IE3D. Finally the design is fabricated with the help of optical lithography. It can be seen that the beam steering angle can be controlled mechanically without phase shifter and PIN switches.