Reconfigurable antenna system

Abstract

The invention relates to a reconfigurable antenna system (), which comprises a plurality of antenna units () and does not employ phase shifters. Each antenna unit () is by itself a reconfigurable antenna having at least an active radiating element which is coupled to one or more passive radiating elements. Each antenna unit is provided with one or more variable loads () that can be electrically connected/disconnected to each other and with said antenna unit (), to selectively configure the radiating properties of the system. A bias network () is adopted to bias the variable loads () and a control unit () allows controlling the operation of said bias network (). Each active radiating element is fed by at least a feeding line () that provides it with a suitable polarization. Hence, the system can advantageously resort to multiple polarizations, each of them being provided by a same source. Preferably, each active radiating element receive its feeding signal from the source/s by means of power dividers () and/or switches. Preferably, each antenna unit is covered by at least a radiating structure, comprising a plurality of passive radiating elements, which does not affect the reconfigurability of the antenna unit itself and increases the overall antenna gain. The antenna system is then characterized by remarkable beam-steering capabilities and high gain, avoiding the losses and complexities related to phase shifters and overcoming the typically small antenna gain values of current reconfigurable antenna systems.