Pattern reconfigurable antenna based on moving V-shaped parasitic elements actuated by dielectric elastomer

A tuneable antenna is reported comprising a monopole with a pair of V-shaped parasitic elements (VPE), whose motion is controlled by a planar dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). A computer model based on the finite element method is used to simulate the electromechanical performance of the actuator. A prototype is used to validate the performed simulations and identify the relationship between VPE displacements and the voltage applied to the actuator. It is shown that the DEA can be used to change the antenna pattern by changing the orientation of the VPEs while maintaining reasonable impedance matching. The pattern variations are demonstrated through cuts from standard electromagnetic simulation.