Enabling Antenna Technologies for the Software Definable Radio

Antenna systems that would enable seamless mobility using portable Software Definable Radios include a wide variety of technologies, ranging from multi-band, tunable, or active antennas, to multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) antenna systems. Depending on the specific SDR application and the expected spectrum coverage, some antenna technologies are more suitable to meet performance, size, complexity, and cost requirements. A number of antenna technologies suitable for enabling SDR on mobile phone and professional radio form factors are illustrated and comparatively analyzed. (6 pages)