The document summarizes a proposed research project on software defined antennas (SDA). The project aims to investigate a single reconfigurable structure with multiple radiating sections that allows frequency, polarization, and radiation patterns to be varied for different radio systems. The methodology will use different antenna elements like axial mode helix, normal mode helix, and inner rod to operate at frequencies including 1.6GHz, 150MHz, 400MHz, and 2.4GHz. The expected outcomes are antenna gains comparable to single antennas, omni-directional patterns, ability to tune over frequency bands, isolation between sections, and an effective switching method.

1. literature review required for component 1 (C1)
examination-August-2019 : Course 3
“SOFTWARE DEFINED ANTENNA”- A SINGLE
RECONFIGURABLE STRUCTURE COMPRISING
MULTIPLE RADIATING SECTIONS
Submitted by
Mr. PRADEEP KUMAR K
School of Electronics & Communication Engineering
Under the guidance of
Dr. Bharathi S H, Professor
School of Electronics & Communication
Engineering, Reva University

2. INDEX
• Introduction about “Software Defined Antennas”.
• Summary of the proposed project.
• Background of Research Work.
• Critical review of Literatures and identification of research gap.
• Objectives of Research work.
• Methodology or approach intended to be adopted in the execution of
the research.
• Expected outcome.
• References.

3. Introduction on Software Defined Antennas
(SDA)
• The UWB antennas allow the software defined radio to receive a
wide range of frequencies using just one antenna / element per
reception site which is termed as “Software Defined Radios”.
• SDA are a "notable" topic, suitable for inclusion in Research. SDA has
received significant coverage in reliable secondary sources.
• Two patents, in 2009 & 2004, and recent articles published in IEEE
Journals.
• U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a series of SDA research
contracts.

4. Summary of the proposed project
• Main summary is to investigate the feasibility of a single re-
configurable structure comprising multiple radiating sections,
described as a “Software Defined Antenna.”
• It also allows frequency of operation, polarization and radiation
patterns to be varied to suit different radio systems.
• Which also provides with multiple input feeds, simultaneous
operation of several radio systems from one unit.

5. Fig. 1 Military vehicle (Courtesy of http://tonguesoffire.wordpress.com).

6. Target Frequencies And Applications For The SDA- Table 1
Nominal Frequency Application Polarisation
75MHz Tactical VHF Linear, vertical
150MHz Tactical VHF Linear, vertical
400MHz Line of Sight Voice Communications
e.g. TETRA or UHF Military Communications
Linear, vertical
1.3GHz Video Downlink from manned aircraft or UAVs Linear, vertical
1.575GHz GPS RHCP
1.6GHz L-Band Satellite Communications e.g. Iridium RHCP
2.4GHz Line of Sight WiFi Network
e.g. Tactical Information Systems
Linear, vertical
And much more frequency band

7. Background of research
• The two main sections within this SDA design are:
 An outer helix.
 An inner, vertical rod.
Fig. 2 EM Model of the SDA.
The Method of Moments (MoM)
technique was applied. The MoM is
an accurate and rigorous tool and is
often used as the benchmark for
validation exercises of other EM
codes.

8. Fig. 3 Concept Demonstrator Assembly for an SDA (less the switches).

9. Critical Review of Literatures and identification of research
gaps – Table 2
# Author Year Outcome
1 L. Leszkowska, D.
Duraj
2018 Electronically REconfigurable Superstrate (ERES) Antenna
2 Feng Yang, L.Y
Zeng
2018 Reconfigurable Slot Antenna Design for 5G
3 B. Belkadi, Z.
Mahdjoub
2018 UWB Monopole Antenna with Reconfigurable Notch Bands
based on Metamaterials Resonators
4 Hattan F.
Abutarboush, A.
Shamim
2018 A Reconfigurable Inkjet Printed Antenna on Paper
Substrate for Wireless Applications
5 Yuan-Ming Cai,
Ke Li,
2018 A Low-Profile Frequency Reconfigurable Grid-Slotted Patch
Antenna
6 Sulakshana
Chilukuri, Y.
Pandu Rangaiah
2018 A Multi-Band Frequency and Pattern Reconfigurable
Antenna for Wi-Fi/WiMAX and WLAN Applications

10. Objectives of research work
• To investigate the feasibility of a single re-configurable structure
comprising multiple radiating sections.
• To operate for various frequency of operation.
• Various polarisation which suits for different radio systems.
• Various radiation patterns which suits for different radio systems.

11. Methodology or Approach intended to be adopted
in the execution of the research
• Axial Mode Helix to be used for 1.6GHz
• Normal Mode Helix to be used for 150MHz
• Inner Rod to be used for 400GHz
• Vertical Element to be used for 2.4GHz

12. Expected outcome:
• Antenna gain commensurate with single antenna counterparts.
• Omni-directional azimuth radiation patterns for the line of sight linear
elements.
• Ability to tune over a band of frequencies, not just the nominal spot
frequencies listed above.
• A need to satisfy the radio system requirements for isolation between
radiating sections.
• An effective method of switching and re-configuring the structure,
noting specifically the need for switching
• Speed, switch control power and RF power handling.

13. References
1 L. Leszkowska1, D. Duraj, M. Rzymowski, K. Nyka and L. Kulas, “Electronically REconfigurable
Superstrate (ERES) Antenna, 13th European conference on antennas and propogation (EuCAP2019)”,
2018
2 Peng Yang, Kuixi Yan, Feng Yang, L.Y Zeng and Shaoying, Huang, “Reconfigurable Slot Antenna Design
for 5G Smartphone with Metal Casing, IEEE”, 978-1-5386-7102-3/18, 2018
3 B. Belkadi, Z. Mahdjoub, M. L. Seddiki, and M. Nedil, “UWB Monopole Antenna with Reconfigurable
Notch Bands based on Metamaterials Resonators, IEEE”, 978-1-5386-7102-3/18, 2018
4 Hattan F. Abutarboush, and A. Shamim, “A Reconfigurable Inkjet Printed Antenna on Paper Substrate
for Wireless Applications, IEEE.”, 1536-1225, 2018
5 Yuan-Ming Cai, Ke Li, Yinzeng Yin, Steven Gao, Wei Hu and Luyu Zhao, “A Low-Profile Frequency
Reconfigurable Grid-Slotted Patch Antenna, IEEE”, 2169-3536, 2018
6 Sulakshana Chilukuri, Y. Pandu Rangaiah and Anjaneyulu Lokam, “A Multi-Band Frequency and
Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna for Wi-Fi/WiMAX and WLAN Applications, 9th International
Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, IEEE”, 978-1-5386-7229-7/18, 2018

14. Thanking You