Miniaturized reconfigurable CRLH metamaterial leaky-wave antenna using complementary split-ring resonators

Overview

This technology is a design for a Miniaturized Composite Right/Left-Handed (CRLH) Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA) featuring electronically steerable radiation patterns. The antenna comprises cascaded metamaterial unit cells, each equipped with varactor diodes. By adjusting the voltage across these diodes, the antenna can steer its directional beam from broadside to backward and forward end-fire directions. A key innovation is the use of Complementary Split-Ring Resonators (CSRR) etched underneath each CRLH unit-cell to achieve size reduction without the need for thin interdigital capacitors, addressing PCB manufacturing constraints. This miniaturized antenna is suitable for applications in wireless access points and mobile devices.

Market Applications

Wireless Communication: The miniaturized CRLH Leaky-Wave Antenna can find applications in wireless access points, enhancing their performance and coverage
Mobile Devices: Miniaturization of the antenna with improved connectivity and directionality provides wireless connectivity for devices that require high data rates, low latency, and low power consumption, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or wearable devices
Metamaterial Research: The use of CSRRs in miniaturization techniques for reconfigurable antennas can have broader implications in metamaterial-based designs and RF applications
Software-Defined Radios: The antenna can be applied in software-defined radios to enable new wireless networking applications with directional capabilities on mobile device platforms
Radar and imaging: The antenna can enable radar and imaging systems that can scan and detect objects in different directions and distances, such as vehicles, aircraft, or satellites
Biomedical and security: The antenna can support biomedical and security applications that can monitor and analyze vital signs, movements, or behaviors of humans or animals, such as health care, fitness, or surveillance

Key Advantages

Electronically steerable radiation pattern for versatile beam steering covering a wide range of angles and frequencies
Miniaturization achieved through CSRRs without thin interdigital capacitors, reducing manufacturing constraints
Improved symmetry between input ports for enhanced performance
Compact size makes it suitable for portable and wearable applications
Operability in both linear and circular polarization modes enhances the diversity and quality of communication links
High gain and efficiency improve performance and reliability of the system
Compatibility with wireless access points and potential use in mobile devices

Problems Solved

Conventional antennas with fixed patterns are limited in terms of radiation pattern and polarization
CRLH Leaky-Wave Antennas (LWAs) are typically not suitable for mobile devices due to size constraints
Prior miniaturization techniques involving non-conventional substrates or stacking reactive/magnetic layers introduced complexity and bulk
Back-lobe radiation issues with CSRR-loaded broadside antennas for miniaturization
Limited application of split-ring resonators in miniaturization techniques for reconfigurable leaky-wave antennas