A Switchable Circular Polarization Microstrip Antenna Using a Varactor Diode

Abstract

In this letter a circular polarization microstrip antenna with switchable polarization is proposed. The switchable polarization sense characteristic is realized via a shunt connected varactor tuning diode. The appropriate capacitance of the diode at the reverse bias voltage can alter two circular polarizations, as the tuning diode, which is located near the rectangular slot in the circular patch, is utilized in a perturbation element. The switchable polarization is analyzed using the equivalent circuit model representing the resonances of each orthogonal mode. Simulation, calculated, and measured results agree well.