Single-layer dipole antenna with large angle beam deflection and frequency scanning capability

In this paper, a printed single-layer dipole antenna with beam deflection and frequency scanning capability by loading a co-planar metamaterial array is investigated. The metamaterial array consists of 6 x 3 U- and inverse-U-shaped unit cells and performs as a two-dimensional gradient refractive index medium. Beam deflection can be achieved by utilizing the phase shift property resulting from the interaction of the EM wave emanating from the antenna with medium that exhibit different refractive indices. Utilizing the Refractive index-Size (n-S) response of the U- and inverse-U-shaped structure, beam-tilting with large angle of 38 degrees at the fixed frequency is obtained. The gain is enhanced by 2.5 dBi. At same time, as the Refractive index-Frequency (n-F) response of the proposed structure, the main beam of the proposed antenna can achieve considerable frequency scanning range within the -10 dB bandwidth. The main beam scanning of 42 degrees in the E-plane over the frequency range of 2.06-2.61 GHz with the gain is enhanced by at least 2.5 dBi. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been fabricated and measured to verify the simulation results.