Design a hexagonal shape frequency reconfigurable
antenna for new C-band 5G applications
2022 IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Computing and Communication Technologies (CONECCT) | 978-1-6654-9781-7/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/CONECCT55679.2022.9865714
M. Ganesh
Dept. Of ECE
Delhi Technological University Delhi Technological University
Delhi,India-110042 Delhi, India-110042
mganesh@dtu.ac.in nsraghava@dtu.ac.in
Abstract— In this Communication, a simple hexagonal
shape frequency reconfigurable antenna is designed with
reduced ground plane for new C-band 5G (3.7GHz-
3.98GHz applications. To enable frequency reconfiguration
a PIN diode is adopted in the reduced ground plane with a
gap size of 1mm. When diode is in OFF state the designed
antenna resonates at 3.6 GHz with a bandwidth of 760 MHz,
range used for Wi-Max and in ON state the designed
structure resonates at 3.8 GHz with a bandwidth of 930
MHz, range used for New C-band 5G networks. The
designed structure of an antenna is etched on a Fr-4
substrate with a size of 38X36X1.6mm3.
Keywords—Frequency reconfigurable, hexagonal shape
patch antenna, micro strip feed.
I. INTRODUCTION
With the rapid increase in data utilization of users recently
Federal communication commission (FCC) allotted a new C-
band for 5G networks in the year 2020, that will operate at
3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band [1]. Design of antenna for these
new communications accepted has admiring accretion of
interest. The rapid growth of wireless communication
systems needs the creation of integrated multiple function
devices operating at different frequency bands. The
frequency spectrum of New C-band for 5 G networks is
shown in Fig 1.
In order to evaluate an antenna structure that will be
operating at different frequency bands, radiation patterns and
polarization according to the requirements of an end user, a
new type of antenna structure is required that type antenna
structure is referred as a reconfigurable antenna [2].
Fig1: FCC Allotted frequency spectrum for New C-band 5G networks
978-1-6654-9781-7/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE
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N.S. Raghava T. Sabapathy
Dept. Of ECE Advanced Communication Engineering
Faculty of Electronic Engineering
Technology,Universiti malaysia Perlis
Paugh Putra,Malaysi-02600
thennarasan@unimap.edu.my
In Reconfigurable structures, the basic operation is to change
the physical attribute of the antenna structure by uniting or
separating different parts of the structure. Therefore, an
equivalent structure of an antenna is altered. Compared to a
large band and multiple bands of an antenna, a frequency
reconfigurable antenna desired to perform effectively at
receiving end with a required band of frequency by utilizing
the frequency spectrum, without disturbing other frequency
bands.
In ref [3], authors have reported an antenna with lumped
element switch to reconfigure the frequency at two triple band
frequencies.With a microstrip feed. A hexagonal shape
antenna with a notch in the radiating structure is reported [4]
for wireless local area networks (WLAN) applications,
operating at two different bands of frequencies by ON/OFF of
PIN diode switches.
A hexagonal shape radiating structure is reported [5] with
coplanar waveguide feed for portable wireless applications
operating at four distinct frequency bands with two PIN
diodes. An antenna consists of a co-planar waveguide fed
triangular monopole and two additional stubs, which are
attached to the radiating patch through a PIN diode has been
reported in [6]. The single-band, dual-band, and wide-band
operations can be conveniently accomplished by switching
ON/OFF these PIN diodes.
In ref [7], a compact, flexible, and CPW fed slotted circular
patch antenna has been reported for different frequency
bands. For enhancing bandwidth two additional stubs are
attached to the slotted circular shape patch antenna and for
multi band frequency reconfigurability two PIN diodes are
utilized. In [8] authors reviewed on different antenna
structures for frequency, radiation and polarization
reconfigurability also reviewed different switching
techniques for reconfigurability purpose. In [9] authors
reported a comprehensive review on reconfigurability of
antenna structures in terms of radiation pattern reconfigurable
for upcoming 5G new radio frequency bands. A multiple
frequency band antenna with a reconfigurability function in
frequency was reported in [10], by utilizing PIN diode as
switch in the compact antenna structure seven multiple bands
are obtained and its performance was better in all seven
bands.
Here, a simple hexagonal shape frequency reconfigurable
antenna is reported. A PIN diode is adopted in ground plane
for frequency reconfiguration purpose. The remaining
sections are organized as follows. The designed antenna
concept with mathematical calculations is presented in
 section II. In Section III analysis of proposed structure with
simulations are reported. Finally, Conclusion reported at last
section.
II. DESIGN STRATEGY OF PROPOSED ANTENNA
The PIN diode (MADP-000907-14020) from MACOM is
utilized for switching purpose in this structure. A PIN diode
at RF frequencies behaves as a open and closed circuit at
respective insert positions, thus modify the resonant behavior
of the radiating element.

The schematic diagram of designed antenna structure is

represented in Fig 2 with top and bottom view of the designed
antenna structure. It consists of a simple hexagonal shape
radiating structure engrave on FR-4 substrate with a compact
overall size of 38 x 36 x1.6 mm3 with reduced ground plane.
The substrate thickness (h) and relative permittivity ( ∈
1.6mm and 4.4 respectively are utilized in this structure.
Numerous feeding techniques are proposed for
reconfigurability in antenna structure, here microstrip feed is
utilized for feeding the proposed antenna structure. Initially
hexagonal shape radiating patch antenna dimensions are
calculated for resonant frequency 3.8 GHz based on formulas
mentioned in the ref [7].
The resonance frequency of circular shape radiator is
calculated using given eq (1)

(a) Top View

.
= (1)
√∈

where C is the speed of the light and is the effective

circular shape radiating element radius

The effective circular shape radiating element radius is

evaluated using eq (2)

1 ! (2)
$% .&& '
"#

where is the radius of the circular shape microstrip patch

antenna.

Then, the side (S) of hexagonal shape microstrip patch

antenna value is calculated using eq (3) utilizing the effective
circular shape radiating element radius

)√)
( *
(b) Bottom View
√
S= (3)
√+. ,'
Fig2: Schematic diagram of Proposed antenna structure

For 3.8 GHz the optimum value of =5.517mm and

S=6.0652mm are obtained. Table 1: The designed structure dimensions
After varying the values of ground length (Lg) and fed length
(Lf) respectively the better dip in the reflection coefficient is Parameters Values(mm)
obtained for optimum values of Lg=14mm and Lf=16mm Substrate width (Ws) and 38mm x36mm
respectively as a parametric study is shown in Fig 4. Length (Ls)
For introducing a frequency reconfigurability in the proposed Ground length (Lg) 12.5mm
structure a gap is created in the ground plane at 12.5mm Ground strip width (Wgs) 0.5mm
position and a PIN diode is adopted in this gap. The designed Feed width (Wf) and feed 3mmx16mm
structure switching between two frequency bands by length (Lf)
changing the PIN diode operating conditions i.e, ON/OFF.
Hexagon Side(S) 6.065mm
Switch Size 1mm x1mm

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 PIN diode equivalent circuit models shown in Fig. 4 for both 0
ON and OFF operating conditions.
-2

-4

S11 (dB)
-6

0 -8

-10
-5

-12
-10
S11(dB)

-14

-15
-16
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-20
Frequency (GHz)

-25 Fig 5: Simulated reflection coefficient at 3. 8GHz

-30
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Frequency(GHz)
Lf=18mm,Lg=14mm
Lf=16mm,Lg=14mm
Lf=16mm,Lg=15mm
Lf=16mm,Lg=16mm
Lf=16mm,Lg=13mm

Fig 3: Simulated reflection coefficient curves for different Lf and Lg

Fig 6: Polar plot (3D) at 3.8 GHz

Fig. 4. Equivalent circuit model of PIN diode

Radiation Pattern
When PIN diode is in ON condition, its equivalent circuit 0
represents a series RL circuit with low value of resistor 330 30
2.0
Rs=5.2 ohm and inductor L=0.4nH, and in OFF condition
represents a parallel combination of high resistor Rp=5k ohm 1.5

and low value of capacitance Cp=0.03pF with series 300 60

1.0
combination of inductor L=0.4nH.
0.5

III. SIMULATION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 270

2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
90

0.5

The antenna was designed and analyzed in terms of various

1.0
antenna parameters by using the Ansys High Frequency 240 120

Simulation Software (HFSS). 1.5

2.0
when the PIN diode is ON, the designed structure the return 210 150

loss depicted in Fig.5. The proposed antenna covering 3.42 180

GHz to 4.2 GHz band with a minimum reflection coefficient

of -13.9213 dB at 3.8 GHz and bandwidth of 930 MHz at -10 Fig 7: Radiation pattern (2D) at 3.8 GHz
dB. The 3-D radiation polar plot is shown Fig .6, at a centre
frequency 3.8 GHz, the designed antenna obtained peak gain
of 2.34 dB,and its 2- D radiation pattern is shown in Fig 6.
Fig.8 shows the E-Plane and H-Plane radiation patterns of
proposed antenna at Phi-00 and Phi-900

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 E-Plane
Radiation
0° Pattern
10
H-Plane
315° -10 45° Radiation
Pattern
-30
270° -50 90°

225° 135°
180°
Fig. 10: Polar plot (3D) at 3.6 GHz

Fig 8: Radiation patterns of E-Plane and H-plane at 3.8 GHz

when the PIN diode is in the OFF state, the designed structure
return loss depicted in Fig.9. The antenna covering 3.24 GHz Radiation Pattern
to 4 GHz band with a minimum reflection coefficient of -
12.638 dB at a Centre frequency of 3.6 GHz, bandwidth of 0
760 MHz at -10dB. 330 30
2.0

At a frequency of 3.6 GHz, the designed structure obtained a

peak gain of 2.2458 dB at theta=1800. In Fig.10 3-D polar 1.5

plot show and 2- D radiation pattern and E-plane and H-plane 300 60
radiation pattern depicted in Fig 11 and Fig 12 respectively. 1.0

0.5

0
270 0.0 90
2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0
0.0
-2 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

-4 0.5
S11(dB)

-6
1.0
240 120
-8

1.5
-10

-12 2.0
210 150

-14 180
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Frequency( GHz)

Fig. 11: Radiation pattern(2D) at 3.6 GHz

Fig.9: Simulated reflection coefficient at 3. 6 GHz

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 2.34 dB with bandwidth of 930 MHZ when PIN diode is in
E-Plane ON state. When diode is OFF condition, the designed antenna
Radiation provides a peak gain of 2.24 dB with bandwidth of 760 MHZ.
0° Pattern This antenna is initially designed for new C-band application
10 recently allotted by FCC in the year 2020. By changing the
315°-10 45° switching operation i.e, ON/OFF in the ground plane we
H-Plane
-30 Radiation
obtained frequency reconfigurability at 3.8/3.6 GHz are
applicable to new c-band /Wi-max applications.
270° -50 90° Pattern

REFERENCES
225° 135°
[1] https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-expands-flexible use-c-band-5g-0
180° [2] Shereen, M.K.; Khattak, M.I.; Witjaksono, G. A brief review of
frequency, radiation pattern, polarization, and compound
reconfigurable antennas for 5G applications. J. Comput. Electron.
2019, 18, 1065–1102. [CrossRef].
Fig 12: Radiation patterns of E-plane and H-plane at 3.6 GHz [3] S. Ullah, S. Hayat, A. Umar, U. Ali, F.A. Tahir, J.A. Flint, Design,
Fabrication and Measurement of Triple Band Frequency
Reconfigurable Antennas for Portable Wireless Communications,
International Journal of Electronics and Communications (2017)
Table 2: Summary of observations for the proposed antenna [4] Ali, T. and Biradar, R.C. (2017), A compact hexagonal slot dual band
structure frequency reconfigurable antenna for WLAN applications. Microw.
Opt. Technol. Lett., 59: 958-964
Diode Resonant Bandwidth Gain [5] Ullah, Shakir. (2021). Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for Portable
Wireless Applications. Cmc -Tech Science Press-. 68. 14.
Status Frequency (in 10.32604/cmc.2021.015549
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ON 3.8 930 MHz 2.34 dB H.H.; Alibakhshikenari, M.; Limiti, E. Design and Realization of a
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[7] N. Hussain et al., "A Compact Flexible Frequency Reconfigurable
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Ref Antenna Number No of Band Gain[dB]
[9] Siti Rahena Isa, Muzammil Jusoh, Thennarasan Sabapathy, Jamel
size(mm2) of operating Width Nebhen, Muhammad Ramlee Kamarudin, Mohamed Nasrun Osman,
Switches bands (MHz) Qammer Hussain Abbasi,Hasliza A. Rahim,Mohd NajibMohd Yasin2
[11] 45x50 2 1 800 2.2 and Ping Jack Soh (2022) “Reconfigurable Pattern Patch Antenna for
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DOI:10.32604/cmc.2022.019769.
[12] 40x30 4 2 400/500 2.24/2.76 [10] Alsharif, Mohammed & Albreem, Mahmoud & Uthansakul,
Peerapong. (2021). Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for Multi
Standard Wireless and Mobile Communication Systems. Cmc -Tech
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Proposed 38x36 1 2 930/760 2.34/2.24
[11] A. Ghaffar, X. J. Li, and W. A. Awan, “A flexible and pattern
reconfigurable antenna with small dimensions and simple layout for
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CONCLUSION frequency- and pattern-reconfigurable wideband slot antenna,”
International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, vol. 14, 2018.

The proposed frequency reconfigurable simple hexagonal

shaped patch antenna with ground switching resonates at two
different frequencies 3.6 GHz for Wi-max and 3.8 GHz for
new C-band 5G networks. The switching between two
different frequencies obtained by adopting a PIN diode in
ground plane. The designed antenna provides a peak gain of

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