A smart mechanically actuated two-layer electromagnetically coupled microstrip antenna with variable frequency, bandwidth, and antenna gain

Experimental results are presented on a tunable mechanically actuated microstrip antenna with a parasitic director. A novel piezoelectric actuation system is used to vary dynamically the mechanical displacement of the parasitic element. The center frequency, bandwidth, and antenna gain change as a function of variable spacing between the driven and parasitic elements. In light of the experimental results, smart antenna tuning methods that use mechanical and electrical methods are compared and directions for future work are discussed.