A Miniaturized Reconfigurable CRLM Metamaterial Leaky-Wave Antenna Using Complementary Split-Ring Resonators

Overview

Composite Right/Left Handed (CRLH) Leaky-Wave Antennas (LWAs) are a class of radiating elements characterized by an electronically steerable radiation pattern. The design is comprised of a cascade of CRLH unit-cells populated with varactor diodes. By varying the voltage across the varactor diodes, the antenna can steer its directional beam from broadside to backward and forward end-fire directions. A CRLH Leaky-Wave Antenna for the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band is miniaturized by etching a Complementary Split-Ring Resonator (CSRR) underneath each CRLH unit-cell. As opposed to conventional LWA designs, the LWA layout does not require thin interdigital capacitors, significantly reducing the PCB manufacturing constraints required to achieve size reduction. The resulting antenna enables CRLH LWAs to be used not only for wireless access points, but also potentially for mobile devices.

Intellectual Property and Development Status

United States Patent Pending-15/205,551

Commercialization Opportunities

 

Contact Information

 

Robert B. McGrath, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Vice Provost

Office of Technology Commercialization

Drexel University

3180 Chestnut Street, Ste. 104

The Left Bank

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone: 215-895-0303

Email: RBM26@Drexel.edu