A reconfigurable stacked microstrip patch antenna for satellite and terrestrial links

A reconfigurable stacked microstrip patch antenna is proposed. The antenna operates at an upper frequency f(u) with a broadside pattern, 7.5-dBi right-hand circularly polarized gain, and 15.8% bandwidth. At a lower frequency f(1), the antenna operates as a planar inverted-F antenna (7.3% bandwidth and 3.9-dBi peak gain) with the main beam directed close to the horizon. Switching between the two regimes of operation is achieved using p-i-n diodes. Antenna operation in the upper frequency hand is suitable for low-earth-orbit or medium-earth-orbit satellite communications, and in the lower frequency band, the antenna is useful for terrestrial land-mobile or other wireless applications.