Frequency tunable antennas based on innovative materials

We report the integration of materials with improved and adapted properties within antenna designs. Two complementary components based on innovative materials are presented in this paper: a VO2 (vanadium dioxide)-based switch and a Ba 2/3 Sn 1/3 TiO 3 (BST)-based tunable capacitance. The designs of frequency reconfigurable radiating elements are based on slot antennas excited by a microstrip line. This microstrip line has a length that can be conveniently varied using a VO2-based switch. In the case of BST based antennas, the slot is directly loaded by the tunable capacitance. Compared to existing commercial solutions, the proposed devices show better properties with low losses.