Received: 28 October 2019 Revised: 23 December 2019 Accepted: 4 February 2020

DOI: 10.1002/mmce.22184

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Ten switched-beams with 2 × 2 series-fed 2.4 GHz array

antenna and a simple beam-switching network

Haq Nawaz1 | Ibrahim Tekin2

1
Electronics Engineering, Sabanci
University, Istanbul, Turkey
2
Electronics Engineering, Sabanci
University and SUNUM (Nanotechnology
Research Center), Sabanci University,
Istanbul, Turkey
Correspondence
Haq Nawaz, Electronics Engineering,
Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956,
Turkey.
Email: hnawaz@sabanciuniv.edu
Abstract
This article presents a 2 × 2 series fed 2.4 GHz patch antenna array having
multiple beam switching capabilities by using two simple 3 dB/90
couplers to
achieve required amplitude and phase excitations for array elements with
reduced complexity, cost and size. The beam switching performance with con-
sistent gain and low side lobe levels (SLL) is achieved by exciting the array ele-
ments from orthogonally placed thin quarter-wave (λg/4) feeds. The
implemented array is capable to generate ten (10) switched-beams in 2-D space
when series fed elements are excited from respective ports through 3 dB quad-
rature couplers. The dual polarized characteristics of presented array provide
intrinsic interport isolation between perpendicularly placed ports through
polarization diversity to achieve independent beam switching capabilities for
intended directions. The implemented antenna array on 1.575 mm thick low
loss (tan δ = 0.003) NH9450 substrate with εr = 4.5 ± 0.10 provides 10 dB
return loss impedance bandwidth of more than 50 MHz. The measured beam
switching loss is around 0.8 dB for beams switched at θ = ±20
, Ф = 0
, 90
,
and 45
with average peak gain of 9.5 dBi and SLL ≤ −10 dB in all cases. The
novelty of this work is the capability of generating ten dual polarized
switched-beams by using only two 3 dB/90
couplers as beam controllers.

KEYWORDS
2-D beam switching, 3 dB/90
coupler, array antenna, beam controllers, reduced complexity,
series feeding

1 | INTRODUCTION receiver without increasing the transmit power.3-5 For

The beam-switched phased array antennas are one of the
major types of smart antennas with finite number of fixed
and predefined radiation patterns or beams.1,2 A
switched-beam antenna system has the ability to choose
one of many predefined beams in order to improve the
strength of received signal from intended direction. Such
type of smart antennas with the capability of beam-
switching in the intended direction can significantly
improve the reliability and performance of communica-
tion link through improved signal to noise ratio (SNR) at
example, the base station can determine the signal of
interest (SOI) direction from any active user to switch
its antenna beam in that direction to communicate with
a intended mobile station with improved link perfor-
mance (best reception) as depicted in Figure 1. These
spatially separated beams from such smart antennas
can improve the range and frequencies reuse perfor-
mance through reduction in potential interference. The
switching mechanism enables the beam-switched
antenna to select and direct its beam for best reception
from the mobile station.

Int J RF Microw Comput Aided Eng. 2020;e22184. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/mmce © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 1 of 11
https://doi.org/10.1002/mmce.22184
2 of 11
F I G U R E 1 The switched-beam coverage pattern in the mobile
wireless communication scenario for users at different locations
The switched-beam phased array antennas are used
in emerging wireless applications including modern
radars, biomedical and satellite systems.5-12 The
switched-beam antennas are an integral part of a promis-
ing keyless physical layer security technique termed as
directional modulation (DM) to transmit the digitally
modulated information signals in a prespecified secure
wireless communication spatial direction in free
space.13-17 The switched-beam phased arrays are also
used in wireless communication based direction on direc-
tion finding applications.18,19 In transmit mode, the
beam-switching can increase the power of radio signal in
intended direction. For reception, it can increase receiver
sensitivity in intended direction of arrival and decrease
sensitivity in the direction of interference or noise. In
other words, the beam-switching can provide extended
communications distances and wider coverage areas.
The switched-beam phased array antennas play an
important role in implementation of wireless non-
interfering multiple-output (NIMO) systems to provide
the increased system coverage and capacity. The NIMO
is a novel approach towards a phased array antenna
with beam-switching capabilities. The NIMO systems
utilize the combination of phased array antennas and
multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems to
overcome the capacity and bandwidth limitations. Such
NIMO systems generate multiple narrow switched
beams with high gain to improve the spectral efficiency
and throughput in dense wireless networks.20,21 A
greater number of subscribers can be served with
higher data rates through NIMO systems. The
improved performance of NIMO systems make them
ideal for broadband wireless communications. Such
NAWAZ AND TEKIN
communications systems based on beam-switched
topologies can surpass the capabilities of MIMO tech-
niques for increased coverage and capacity.
The parallel-fed and series-fed are two commonly
used feeding structures for phased array antennas. The
parallel-fed configuration deploys many power dividers
and phase shifters to achieve required amplitude and
phase excitations for maximum radiations in intended
direction. The presence of many discontinuities and long
connecting lines degrades the side lobes level (SLL) per-
formance caused by spurious radiations. Conversely, the
array antennas with series-fed configurations deploy
short transmission lines with improved performance and
radiation efficiency.22,23
The beam-switching functionality can be
implemented either through software (algorithms) to
construct the intended switched-beam or hardware can
be employed for the same effects. In software-based
approach, the signal-processing techniques can be used
to generate narrow switched-beams from phased-array
antennas. However, the processing requirements for
such approach can be quite sophisticated and normally
such techniques require multiple transmitters or
receivers and antenna elements. The hardware-based
beam-switching techniques can provide significant
advantages compared to software-based beam-switching
approaches. For instance, the hardware-based tech-
niques can be fully passive employ single phased array
antenna with single transmitter/receiver with reduced
switching delay.
Normally, the phased array antenna capable of multi-
ple switched-beams requires a large number of beam con-
trollers (power dividers, attenuators, phase shifters,
switches, etc.) which results in additional complexity and
cost to realize such antenna systems for large-scale com-
mercial applications. Several phased array antennas have
been implemented with reduced number of beam con-
trollers for required beam steering or beam switching
capabilities.3,6,24,25 Such antenna systems either utilize
CMOS technology based chips24 or a single phase shifter
with separate gain controller for each array element6 to
reduce the complexity and cost of phased array system.
The work reported in Reference 3 utilized a single phase
shifter and a single gain controller as an electronic beam
forming network. In Reference 25, a 30 GHz series fed
2D array deploys reduced number of the phase shifters to
decrease the cost and complexity of phased array antenna
system. A two-dimensionally scanning array for 60 GHz
applications has been presented in Reference 26 where a
planar beam switching network has been used to achieve
eight 2-D beam states. The antenna array presented in
Reference 27 offers the simultaneous reconfiguration of
NAWAZ AND TEKIN
frequency and radiation pattern. The frequency is rec-
onfigured by varying the effective length of patch
through diodes. However, the mechanical rotation of
individual patches was involved to achieve the intended
pattern phase shift.
The single element based beam-switched antennas
presented in References 28-30 employ four feeds. These
antennas achieve the four quadrant patterns switching
through switching of respective feed. The, quasi-feed
switching antenna presented in Reference 31 employs the
PIN diodes to realize switching function for intended
beam-switching in four different space quadrants. The
PIN diodes switching has also been used in32 to configure
the parasitic patches which act as reflector or director to
steer the beam from a circular patch in nine different
angular directions. The beam-switched antenna pres-
ented in Reference 33 employs four ports to excite four
patches in order to generate two linearly polarized coni-
cal or circularly polarized axial beams. The two-port cir-
cular microstrip patch reported in Reference 34 has the
capability to generate steerable radiation patterns to scan
the entire azimuth plane. The specially grounded square
patch antenna with four ports was used in Reference 35
to generate twelve (12) different beams. However, the
presented antenna offers only linearly polarized switched
beams and dual polarized beams cannot be generated.
Moreover, the proposed mechanism cannot be used for
array configuration when narrow beams with high gains
are required.
In this article, a 2-D series fed 2.4 GHz compact
switched-beam phased array antenna has been presented
which uses two simple 3 dB/90o couplers to generate
multiple beams in 2-D. The implemented antenna on
1.575 mm thick low loss (tan δ = 0.003) NH9450 sub-
strate can generate up to ten (10) switched-beams with
better than 10 dBi gain and −10 dB side lobe levels (SLL).
The orthogonal feeding for proposed 2 × 2 series-fed
array provides improved interport RF isolation to enable
the independent scanning in each dimension. The nov-
elty of our work is that the implemented array antenna
can generate multiple switched-beams (up to ten beams)
in 2-D space (four quadrants) with reduced number of
beam controllers (hence, with reduced complexity and
cost) as compared to previously reported works.28,29,35
The conventional 4-elements arrays deploy 4 × 4 Butler
matrix as a beam-forming network to generate only four
(04) beams steered in 1-D space with 10 to 11 dBi gain for
each switched-beam.36-38 However, our implemented
4-elements array is capable to generate ten (10) switched-
beams in 2-D space with very simple beam-switching or
beam-forming network without compromising the gain
performance.
3 of 11
2 | D E S I G N A N D WO R K I N G O F
2 × 2 S ERIES-FED A RRAY
The architecture of proposed 2 × 2 series fed antenna
array with four ports is shown in Figure 2 where
squared-shape radiating elements have been deployed
with λg/2 (half guided wavelength at 2.4 GHz) edge to
edge interelement spacing. We have used Ansoft HFSS
software for simulations and 2 × 2 series-fed antenna
array has been designed by using 1.575 mm thick low
loss (tan δ = 0.003) NH9450 substrate with
εr = 4.5 ± 0.10.
Each radiating patch of array antenna is excited from
two orthogonally placed thin feeds (impedance trans-
formers) placed at the center of respective edge of
squared-shape radiating patch. Such feeding configura-
tion provides maximum interport isolation (more than
42 dB peak isolation and better than 37 dB isolation
within 10-dB return loss bandwidth of 50 MHz) at
intended frequency of operation through polarization
diversity as endorsed by surface current distributions and
element gain patterns shown in Figure 2 for respective
port excitations. Such dual-polarized radiating patch with
high interport isolation when deployed as an array ele-
ment for 2-D symmetric antenna array enables it to
achieve independent 2-D beam scanning or steering
capabilities with low SLL.5
Initially, a 2 × 2 series fed array was designed and
simulated using HFSS software and design was optimized
to achieve maximum gain at θ = 0o and Ф = 0o and 90o
within 10 dB return loss bandwidth of 50 MHz band-
width for each port. For optimized design, the edge to
edge interelement spacing is 38 mm with 1 mm thin
impedance transforming microstrip lines. The thin sub-
strate and narrow feed lines result low impedance band-
width for 2 × 2 series fed array. After that, the beam
switching capability of array with both polarizations
(Ф = 0
and 90
) was verified by exciting the pair of adja-
cent port (Pa and Pb or Pc and Pd, respectively) with 90

phase difference. Based on phased array antenna theory,
the direction of beam (θ direction) is dictated by the rela-
tive phase difference between array elements. Mathemat-
ically, the main beam can be directed in intended angle
(θ) through the excitation of array elements with progres-
sive phase shift (α) between the array elements which are
spatially separated by the distance (d):
α = β*d*cosθ ð1Þ
Based on (1), the beam will be switched at the scan
angle θ = ± 21
when each row of the proposed series-
fed antenna array is excited through progressive phase
4 of 11 NAWAZ AND TEKIN

F I G U R E 2 The array element

patterns and configuration of proposed
2 × 2 series-fed patch antenna array
with two quadrature couplers as beam
switching network (substrate: 1.575 mm
thick NH9450 with εr = 4.5 ± 0.10 and
tan δ = 0.003)

F I G U R E 3 Fours (04) switched-

beams can be generated through
individual port excitation (P1/P2/P3/P4)
of presented 2 × 2 series-fed compact
antenna array
NAWAZ AND TEKIN
shift (α) = ± 90
. The phase shift of 90
for intended
excitation has been achieved through quadrature
couplers.
For compact architecture, two quadrature couplers
have been deployed in order to achieve required phase
and amplitude excitation for adjacent series-fed patches
to obtain intended switched-beams. The quadrature cou-
plers based feeding networks act as equal power dividers
with 90
phase difference at outputs to generate intended
steered-beams. Two symmetrical microstrip based quad-
rature couplers were designed and optimized for ampli-
tude and phase balance performances and integrated
with 2 × 2 series fed array.
The beam switching capability of compact 2 × 2
series-fed array was simulated by feeding the input
port(s) of respective quadrature couplers to obtain ten
(10) switched beams as depicted in Figures 3 and 4. The
switched-beams also depict the beam position (θ and Ф
directions), directivity and gain for each beam as clear
from Figures 3 and 4. The first four beams can be
obtained by exciting just one respective input port of
quadrature couplers as indicated in Figure 3. For
instance, exciting P1 and terminating remaining three
ports of compact 2 × 2 series fed antenna array in 50 Ω
generates the beam 1 at θ = −20o and Ф = 0
with 9.9 dBi
gain and around 0.6 dB beam switching/scanning loss as
clear from Figure 3.
F I G U R E 4 The proposed 2 × 2
series-fed compact array can generate six
(06) switched-beams through
simultaneous in-phase excitation of a
pair of respective ports
5 of 11
In addition, the simultaneous equal-magnitude in-
phase excitation of two respective ports of presented
2 × 2 compact array can produce six (06) switched-
beams. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the simulta-
neous in-phase excitation of P1 and P2 generates the
beam 5 with θ = 0
and Ф = 90
with 10.4 dBi gain. Con-
versely, the simultaneous equal-magnitude in-phase exci-
tation of P3 and P4 generates beam 6 in other
polarization, that is, Ф = 0o. Similarly, two beams at
θ = ± 20
and Ф = 135
and two beams at θ = ±20
and
Ф = 45
can be generated by the simultaneous equal-
magnitude in-phase excitation of pair of respective ports.
A very simple switching mechanism with reduced
number of controllers is required to generate ten
(10) switched beams as clear from Figure 5. As indicated
in Figure 5, three special types of SPDT (single-pole
double-throw) switches can be used to perform required
switching to generate all ten (10) beams from presented
2 × 2 series fed array antenna. These special types of
SPDT switches should have three states switching capa-
bilities (SPDT functionality in two states and both out-
puts should be ON in third state). Such switches can
provide both individual port excitation and simultaneous
in-phase excitation of pair of respective ports to generate
required switched-beams.
We have not implemented the required special type
of these SPDT switches for presented 2 × 2 series-fed
6 of 11 NAWAZ AND TEKIN

TABLE 2 Truth table for three switches to generate ten beams

Switch 1 Switch 2 Switch 3

RF1 RF2 RF1 RF2 RF1 RF2 Beam No.

OFF ON OFF ON OFF OFF Beam 1
OFF ON ON OFF OFF OFF Beam 2
ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON Beam 3
ON OFF OFF OFF ON OFF Beam 4
OFF ON ON ON OFF OFF Beam 5
ON OFF OFF OFF ON ON Beam 6
ON ON OFF ON OFF ON Beam 7
ON ON ON OFF ON OFF Beam 8
ON ON OFF ON ON OFF Beam 9
ON ON ON OFF OFF ON Beam 10

F I G U R E 5 The required switching function can be 3 | IMPLEMENTATION A ND

implemented through three special type of SPDT switches to
generate ten (10) switched-beams
TABLE 1 Truth table for PE42524 SPDT RF switch39
V1 V2 RF1 RF2
–3.3 V –3.3 V OFF OFF
–3.3 V +3.3 V OFF ON
+3.3 V –3.3 V ON OFF
+3.3 V +3.3 V ON ON
array, however, implemented array has been measured
through manual connections of required port(s) to RF
source. A 3 dB ring hybrid coupler has been used as in-
phase power divider for measurement purpose where
simultaneous in-phase excitation of two respective ports
was required. However, these switches can be realized
through MEMS technology for presented array with inte-
grated switching capabilities to generate ten (10) switched
beams. Alternatively, very low cost, compact and surface
mount commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) switches having
three states functionality can be used with presented
antenna array for required switching function. For
instance, PE42524 from Peregrine Semiconductor39 is
one such type of three states SPDT RF Switch. The typical
insertion loss of PE42524 is 1 dB for the frequency range
of 10 MHz to 7.5 GHz.39 The truth table for PE42524
switch is shown in Table 139 where V1, V2 represent con-
trol voltages and RF1 and RF2 are outputs of PE42524
switch. Three PE42524 switches can be used with pres-
ented array to generate all ten (10) switched-beams as
detailed in Table 2.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
In order to verify the beam-switching capabilities of 2 × 2
series-fed compact array (array with two integrated quad-
rature couplers), the antenna was fabricated by using
State LPKF ProtoMat C60. The implemented 2 × 2 series-fed
compact antenna array is shown in Figure 6, where the
1
beam switching network comprised of two 3 dB symmet-
2
rical quadrature couplers was connected from the bottom
3 side of 2-D array in order to realize a more compact
4 antenna architecture. The dimensions of implemented
antenna array with two integrated quadrature couplers
are 140 mm × 140 mm as indicated in Figure 6.The side
view and projection view of implemented 2 × 2 series-fed
compact array are also shown in Figure 6. The SMA
adaptors have been used for intended interconnections of
array and quadrature couplers. The input ports of 2 × 2
series-fed compact array are marked as P1 through P4 as
clear from Figure 6.
The S-parameters (return loss for each port and inter-
port coupling) of implemented array antenna were
recorded by using a calibrated vector network analyzer
(VNA). The return loss measurements for each port were
performed with remaining ports terminated in 50 Ω
loads. The simulated and measured return loss (S11, S22,
S33, S44) results are shown in Figure 7. The measured
10 dB return loss bandwidth for implemented array is
50 MHz and peak return loss is better than 20 dB for all
four ports at 2.4 GHz. The simulated and measured inter-
port isolation results for 2 × 2 series fed array are also
shown in Figure 8. The implemented array achieves
around 25 dB isolation in 50 MHz bandwidth and mea-
sured peak isolation is better than 40 dB for any pair of
dual polarized ports as clear from Figure 8.
NAWAZ AND TEKIN 7 of 11

FIGURE 6 The implemented 2 × 2

series-fed compact array with two
symmetrical quadrature couplers
connected from bottom of 2-D array

0 -10
10dB R.L. B.W = 50MHz
-5
-20
Interport isolation (dB)

-10
Magnitude (dB)

-15 -30

sim.S31
-20 meas.S31
-40 sim.S41
meas.S41
-25 sim. S11,S22,S33,S44
sim.S32
meas. S11
meas. S22
-50 meas.S32
-30 sim.S42
meas. S33
meas.S42
meas. S44
-35 -60
2.3 2.35 2.4 2.45 2.5 2.3 2.35 2.4 2.45 2.5
Frequency (GHz) Frequency (GHz)

F I G U R E 7 The simulated and measured port matching (S11, F I G U R E 8 The simulated and measured interport isolation
S22, S33, S44) results for 2 × 2 series-fed 2.4 GHz patch antenna results for 2 × 2 series-fed 2.4 GHz patch antenna array
array

intended RF equipment along with NSI antenna mea-

The beam-switching capabilities of 2 × 2 series fed
compact array have been confirmed by measuring all ten
(10) switched-beams for 2.4 GHz frequency. The
implemented 2 × 2 series-fed compact array antenna was
measured in antenna chamber (anechoic chamber) at
Sabanci University SUNUM research facility. The
implemented 2 × 2 series-fed compact array antenna was
measured in antenna chamber (anechoic chamber) at
Sabanci University SUNUM research facility. This
anechoic chamber has the capabilities to measure
medium and low gain antennas up to 20 in. (0.5 m) in
diameter. It is comprised of NSI spherical near field
antenna measurement system which is interfaced with
surement software. The measured data can be processed
to retrieve the antenna gain, side lobe structure, beam
pointing and cross polarization characteristics of antenna
under test. All beams have been generated by exciting
respective port or pair of ports as discussed earlier. The
first four (04) switched-beams have been generated and
measured through excitation of individual ports while
terminating remaining ports in 50 Ω loads. The measure-
ment results for these four beams are shown in Figures 9
and 10.
The remaining six (06) switched-beams can be gener-
ated through simultaneous in-phase excitation of pair of
respective ports. We have used 3 dB ring hybrid coupler
8 of 11 NAWAZ AND TEKIN

10 10
Beam 5 Beam 6
5 5 (P1+P2 excit.) (P3+P4 excit.)
θ = 0 deg. θ = 0 deg.
0 0 3-dB ring hbrid coupler for
Ф = 90 deg. Ф = 0 deg.
simultaneous in -phase

Gain (dBi)
Gain (dBi)

-5 Gain: 10.4dBi excitation of two ports Gain: 10.4 dBi

-5
-10
-10 Beam 2 Beam 1
(P2 excitation) (P1 excitation) -15
-15 θ = 21 deg. θ = -21 deg.
-20
Ф = 0 deg. Ф = 0 deg.
-20
Gain: 9.5 dBi Gain: 9.5 dBi -25

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Theta(degrees) Theta(degrees)

F I G U R E 9 Two (02) switched beams are measured through F I G U R E 1 1 Two (02) switched beams are measured through
individual port excitation of P1 and P2 of series-fed compact array simultaneous in-phase excitation of P1 and P2 or P3 and P4 of 2 × 2
for 2.4 GHz frequency series-fed compact array

10 10

5 5

0 0
Gain (dBi)

Gain (dBi)

-5 Beam 8
-5
Beam 7 (P2+P4 excit.)
Beam 3 Beam 4
-10 (P1+P3 excit.)
(P3 excitation) (P4 excitation) -10 θ = -18 deg.
θ = 20 deg. θ = -20 deg. θ = 18 deg. Ф = 135 deg.
-15
Ф = 90 deg. Ф = 90 deg.
-15 Ф = 135 deg. Gain: 9.6 dBi
-20 Gain: 9.6 dBi Gain: 9.6 dBi Gain: 9.6 dBi
-20
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
Theta(degrees) -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
Theta(degrees)
F I G U R E 1 0 Two (02) switched-beams are measured through
individual port excitation of P3 and P4 of series-fed compact array F I G U R E 1 2 The measured results for beam 7 and beam
for 2.4 GHz frequency 8 through simultaneous in-phase excitation of P1 and P3 or P2 and
P4 of 2 × 2 series-fed compact array

as in-phase power divider where the sum (Σ) port is used

as excitation port as shown in Figure 12. The gain mea-
surement results for these six (06) switched-beams at
2.4 GHz are shown in Figures 11–13, respectively.
Figure 14 presents the measured cross polarization
levels for ten (10) switched-beams which can be obtained
from proposed 2 × 2 series-fed array. The measured cross
polarization levels for all beams are more than 25 dB
(considering 10dBi average gain for all beams) down
from their respective copolarized components within 40

half power beam width (HPBW) as clear from Figure 14.
These low cross-polarization levels and high interport
isolation (Figure 8) between dual polarized ports enable
the presented array to achieve 2-D beam switching capa-
bilities with high gain and low SLL as clear from gain
measurement results for all switched beams generated
from proposed 2 × 2 series fed 2.4 GHz array antenna.
Table 3 provides the performance comparison of our
presented beam-switched antenna with those of previ-
ously reported beam-switched antennas.28,29,36,37 The
novelty of our presented work is the ability to generate
ten (10) switched beams in 2-D space (four quadrants
space) with consistent high gain and reduced SLL for all
beams. It employs very simple beam-switching network
which offers reduced complexity and cost as compared to
previously reported beam-switched antennas.28,29,35
Moreover, it has the capability to generate dual linearly
polarized (LP) beams while most of the reported designs
can generate single LP beams only as clear from Table 3.
NAWAZ AND TEKIN 9 of 11

10 Furthermore, the conventional 4-elements arrays deploy

4 × 4 Butler matrix as a beam-forming network to gener-
5 ate only four (04) beams steered in 1-D space with 10 to
11 dBi gain for each switched-beam.36-38 However, our
0
implemented 4-elements array is capable to generate ten
Gain (dBi)

-5 Beam 9 Beam 10 (10) switched-beams in 2-D space with very simple beam-
(P1+P4 excit.) (P2+P3 excit.) switching or beam-forming network without compromis-
-10 θ = -21 deg. θ = 21 deg. ing the gain performance.
Ф = 45 deg. Ф = 45 deg.
-15
Gain: 9.6 dBi Gain: 9.9 dBi

-20 4 | CONCLUSION

A 2.4 GHz 2 × 2 switched-beam phased array was pres-

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
ented which employs a simple planar beam-switching net-
Theta(degrees)
work. Moreover, multiple switched-beams have been
F I G U R E 1 3 The measured results for beam 9 and beam generated without using conventional butler matrix sys-
10 through simultaneous in-phase excitation of P1 and P4 or P2 and tems. The implemented array has the capability to generate
P3 of series-fed compact array ten (10) switched-beams with reduced complexity and very
low beam-switching/scanning loss and reduced SLL (better
than −10 dB in all cases) as clear from presented measured
results for switched-beams. To the best of our knowledge,
-10
there is no reported beam-switched antenna system that
can generate ten switched beams in 2-D space with such
-15
simple beam-switching network. The implemented 2 × 2
series fed array can be used for 2.4 GHz WLAN applica-
Cross pol. levels (dB)

-20 tions (single channel bandwidth of 20 MHz). The proposed

Beam 1 switched-beam phased array can be used in the wireless
-25 Beam 2
Beam 3 communication based direction finding applications. The
Beam 4 presented array having multiple narrow switched-beams
-30 Beam 5
Beam 6
with high gain also can be combined with MIMO configu-
Beam 7 rations to implement NIMO systems to improve the
-35 Beam 8 throughput in dense wireless networks. As a future work,
Beam 9
Beam 10 MEMS based beams controllers (three-state switches) can
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 be realized and proposed antenna array structure can be
Theta(degrees) scaled for 5G applications with integrated switching capa-
bilities to generate ten (10) switched beams. Adapting the
F I G U R E 1 4 The measured cross polarization levels for ten presented smart antenna topology for 5G mobile wireless
(10) switched beams which can be obtained from proposed 2 × 2 communications will provide a very cost effective beam
series-fed array
steering solution to achieve improved SNR.

TABLE 3 The performance comparison of implemented antenna with previously reported beam-switched antenna designs28,29,35,36

No. of beams/ Pattern

Ref. Frequency Max. angle Max. gain Polarization Topology consistency
28
2.4 GHz 4/36
5.4 dBi Single LP Single element Yes
29
2.9 GHz 5/28
7.2 dBi Single LP Single element Yes
35


2.4 GHz 12/30 -43 8.2 dBi Single LP Single element Yes
36


2.35 GHz 4/(±20 , ±40 ) 6.11 dBi Single LP Array+ Butler Matrix No


This work 2.4 GHz 10/±21 (four 10.4 dBi Dual LP Array+ simple switch Yes
quadrants) network
10 of 11
ORCID
Haq Nawaz https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4218-3821
R EF E RE N C E S
1. Wang H, Zhang Z, Feng Z. A beam-switching antenna array
with shaped radiation patterns. IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag
Lett. 2012;11:818-821.
2. Lin Y, Liao C, Hsieh T, Liao W. A novel beam-switching array
antenna using series-fed slots with PIN diodes. IEEE Antennas
Wirel Propag Lett. 2017;16:1393-1396.
3. Topak E, Hasch J, Wagner C, Zwick T. A novel millimeterwave
dual-fed phased array for beam steering. IEEE Trans Microw
Theory Tech. 2013;61(8):3140-3147.
4. Ehyaie D, Mortazawi A. A new approach to design low cost,
low complexity phased arrays. IEEE MTT-S Int Microw Symp
Dig. 2010;1270-1273.
5. Khalily M, Tafazolli R, Rahman TA, Kamarudin MR. Design of
phased arrays of series-fed patch antennas with reduced num-
ber of the controllers for 28-GHz mm-wave applications. IEEE
Antennas Wirel Prop Lett. 2016;15:1305-1308.
6. Ehyaie D, Mortazawi A. A 24-GHz modular transmit phased
array. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech. 2011;59(6):1665-1671.
7. Niaz MW, Bhatti RA. High-isolation antenna system for X-
band synthetic aperture radar. Wirel Pers Commun. 2017;97(2):
2741-2750.
8. Fakoukakis FE, Diamantis SG, Orfanides AP, Kyriacou GA.
Development of an adaptive and a switched beam smart
antenna system for wireless communications. IEEE Prog Elec-
tromagn Res Symp. 2005;8.
9. Maqsood M, Gao S, Brown TWC, et al. Low-cost dual-band cir-
cularly polarized switched-beam array for global navigation
satellite system. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag. 2014;62(4):1975-
1982.
10. Ojaroudiparchin N, Shen M, Pedersen GF. A 28 GHz FR-4
compatible phased array antenna for 5G mobile phone applica-
tions. 2015 Intern. Symp. on Antennas and Prop. 2015(4):1-4.
11. Madany YM, Abdelrassoul RA, Mohamed N. Miniaturized
beam-switching array antenna with MIMO direct conversion
transceiver (MIMO-DCT) system for LTE and wireless commu-
nication applications. Prog Electromagn Res C. 2018;85:9-23.
12. Imbert M, Romeu J, Jofre L, Papió A, De Flaviis F. Switched-
beam antenna array for 60 GHz WPAN applications. 2014 IEEE
Antennas and Propagation Society Inter. Symp. (APSURSI).
2014: 1672-1673.
13. Ding Y, Fusco V. A review of directional modulation technol-
ogy. Int J Microw Wirel Technol. 2015;7:1-13.
14. Ding Y, Fusco V. A vector approach for the analysis and syn-
thesis of directional modulation transmitters. IEEE Trans
Antennas Propag. 2014;62(1):361-370.
15. Hong T, Song MZ, Liu Y. RF directional modulation technique
using a switched antenna array for physical layer secure com-
munication applications. Prog Electro Res. 2011;116:363-379.
16. Daly MP, Bernhard JT. Directional modulation technique for
phased arrays. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag. 2009;57(9):2633-
2640.
17. Hong T, Song MZ, Liu Y. RF directional modulation technique
using a switched antenna array for communication and
direction-finding applications. Prog Electromagn Res. 2011;120:
195-213.
NAWAZ AND TEKIN
18. Krairiksh M. Phased array of switched-beam elements and its
applications. 2009 Applied Electromagnetics Conference
(AEMC). 2009: 1-4.
19. Liao W, Chang S, Liu H, Li L, Hsieh C, Yao C. A beam
switching array antenna for direction-of-arrival applications.
Microw Opt Technol Lett. 2011;53:1601-1606.
20. Electromagnetic Technologies Industries, Inc., white paper.
ETI Multibeam/Bandwidth for Free. www.etiworld.com.2010
21. Electromagnetic Technologies Industries, Inc. Simply Years
Ahead. www.etiworld.com.2009.
22. Kuo FY, Hwang RB. High-isolation X-band marine radar
antenna design. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag. 2014;62(5):2331-
2337.
23. Chong Y, Wenbin D. Microstrip series fed antenna array for
millimeter wave automotive radar applications. Proc IEEEMTT
IMW. 2012;1-3.
24. Fakharzadeh M, Nezhad-Ahmadi MR, Biglarbegian B,
Ahmadi-Shokouh J, Safavi-Naeini S. CMOS phased array trans-
ceiver technology for 60 GHz wireless applications. IEEE Trans
Antennas Propag. 2010;58(4):1093-1104.
25. Abdellatif A, Naeini SS, Mohajer M. Novel low cost compact
phased array antenna for millimeter-wave 3D beam scanning
applications. Proc IEEE APSURSI. 2014;7:1145-1146.
26. Moulder WF, Khalil W, Volakis JL. 60-GHz two-dimensionally
scanning array employing wideband planar switched beam net-
work. IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag Lett. 2010;9:818-821.
27. Khan MS, Iftikhar A, Capobianco AD, Shubair RM, Ijaz B. Pat-
tern and frequency reconfiguration of patch antenna using PIN
diodes. Microw Opt Technol Lett. 2017;59:2180-2185.
28. Alam MS, Abbosh AM. Beam-steerable planar antenna using
circular disc and four pin-controlled tapered stubs for WiMAX
and WLAN applications. IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag Lett.
2016;15:980-983.
29. Bai YY, Xiao S, Liu C, Shuai X, Wang BZ. Design of pattern
reconfigurable antennas based on a two-element dipole array
model. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag. 2013;61(9):4867-4871.
30. Shi SJ, Ding WP. Radiation pattern reconfigurable microstrip
antenna for WiMAX application. Electron Lett. 2015;51(9):
662-664.
31. Nair S, Ammann MJ. Reconfigurable antenna with elevation
and azimuth beam switching. IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag
Lett. 2010;9(4):367-370.
32. Jusoh M, Aboufoul T, Sabapathy T, Alomainy A,
Kamarudin MR. Pattern-reconfigurable microstrip patch
antenna with multidirectional beam for WIMAX application.
IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag Lett. 2014;13(4):860-863.
33. Cao W, Zhang B, Liu A, Yu T, Guo D, Pan K. A reconfigurable
microstrip antenna with radiation pattern selectivity and polar-
ization diversity. IEEE Antennas Wirel Propag Lett. 2012;11(4):
453-456.
34. Narbudowicz A, Bao X, Ammann M, Shakhtour H,
Heberling D. Circularly polarized antenna with steerable
dipole-like radiation pattern. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag.
2014;62(2):519-526.
35. Pal A, Mehta A, Mirshekar-Syahkal D, Nakano H. A twelve-
beam steering low-profile patch antenna with shorting vias for
vehicular applications. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag. 2017;65
(8):3905-3912.
NAWAZ AND TEKIN
36. Zulkifli FY, Chasanah N, Basari, Rahardjo ET. Design of Butler
matrix integrated with antenna array for beam forming. 2015
Intern. Symp. on Antennas and Prop. 2015: 1-4.
37. Ibrahim SZ, Rahim MKA, Masri T, et al. Multibeam antenna
array with Butler matrix for WLAN applications. The Second
European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, EuCAP.
2007: 1-5.
38. Chang C, Lee R, Shih T. Design of a beam switching/steering
butler matrix for phased array system. IEEE Trans Antennas
Propag. 2010;58(2):367-374.
39. PE42524 Ultra CMOS® SPDT RF Switch with tree states
switching functionality from Peregrine semiconductor. Data
sheet available at: https://www.psemi.com/products/rf-
switches/pe42524
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
Haq Nawaz received the BSc degree
in Electrical Engineering and the
Master's degree in Telecommunica-
tion Engineering from the University
of Engineering and Technology
(UET), Taxila, Pakistan, in 2005 and
2012, respectively. He received the
PhD degree in Electronic Engineering from Sabanci
University, Istanbul, Turkey. From January 2017 to
June 2018, he has worked as post-doc research fellow
with Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
(FENS), Sabanci University, Turkey. During
2006-2009, he was with SUPARCO Pakistan as a RF
Design Engineer. He served UET Taxila, Sub-campus
Chakwal, Pakistan, as a Lecturer in Electronics Engi-
neering from 2010 to 2012. Currently, he is working
as Assistant Professor at department of Electronics
Engineering, UET Taxila, Sub-campus Chakwal,
11 of 11
Pakistan. His research interests include full duplex
antenna design, RF circuits design and measurements
for Radar and Satellite systems, beam-switched and
phased scanning array antennas design and indoor
positioning systems design.
Ibrahim Tekin received the BS and
MS degrees from Middle East Techni-
cal University, Ankara, Turkey, in
1990 and 1992, respectively. From
1993 to 1997, he was with the Ohio
State University, Columbus, OH,
USA, where he received the PhD
degree in 1997. From 1997 to 2000, he worked as a
Researcher with Wireless Technology Lab of Bell Lab-
oratories, Lucent Technologies. He is currently with
the Electronics Engineering Program, Sabanci Univer-
sity, Istanbul, Turkey. His research interests include
RF and microwave circuit design, millimeter-wave
antennas, and circuits. He is involved in various pro-
jects including Indoor positioning using GPS signals,
77 GHz LNA and antenna design, RFIC design for
WLAN systems, antennas for full duplex systems. He
is a Senior Member of the IEEE Antennas and Propa-
gation Society.
How to cite this article: Nawaz H, Tekin I. Ten
switched-beams with 2 × 2 series-fed 2.4 GHz
array antenna and a simple beam-switching
network. Int J RF Microw Comput Aided Eng. 2020;
e22184. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmce.22184