Volume 3 · Issue 6 (2026)
DOI number:
10.66521/2938-9933-2026060801
Design and Experiment of a Conformal Antenna with Reconfigurable Multi-Mode Radiation Patterns
Lijing Qin, Yanzhe Wang, Yuxin Gao, Shuai Zou, Chuang Wang*, Wenquan Cao
College of Communication Engineering, Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 21007, China
Corresponding Author: Chuang Wang (cwang@aeu.edu.cn)
Abstract: To address the application requirements of limited onboard space for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the need for full communication coverage across multiple airspace domains, this paper conducts design and experimental research on a conformal antenna with reconfigurable multi-mode radiation patterns. First, based on the phase regulation mechanism of odd and even modes, a low-profile broadband broadside-beam reconfigurable antenna element is designed. By switching between single-port and dual-port in-phase/anti-phase feeding, four radiation beams are achieved: omnidirectional, broadside, left-tilted, and right-tilted. The measured effective bandwidth ranges from 2.23 GHz to 2.60 GHz (relative bandwidth of 15.4%), with a peak gain of 5.80 dBi, enabling wide-range beam coverage in the vertical plane. Second, utilizing PIN diode switching control technology, a broadband end-fire beam pattern reconfigurable antenna element is designed. By switching the device states, four end-fire beams with different orientations in the horizontal plane are obtained. The operating frequency band is 2.26 GHz to 2.83 GHz (relative bandwidth of 23.8%), with a maximum gain of 4.47 dBi in the directional mode. The 3-dB beamwidth for all operating states exceeds 90°, achieving full 360° coverage in the horizontal plane. Finally, the two types of antenna elements are integrated and conformally arranged on the surface of the UAV carrier. Without additional increases in antenna profile or volume, the radiation advantages of wide coverage in the elevation plane and omnidirectional scanning in the horizontal plane are combined, enabling multi-modal beam cooperative reconfiguration. The measured results demonstrate that the integrated conformal antenna offers the advantages of wide bandwidth, multi-beam switching capability, low profile, and carrier conformality. It can significantly expand the UAV communication airspace coverage range and is well-suited for communication conditions in clustered UAV cooperative networking, showing practical value and application potential in the field of airborne wireless communication equipment.
Keywords: Pattern reconfigurable; Multi-mode; Conformal antenna
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