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Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna based on Digital Microfluidics

NCJ Number
249127
Journal
Lab on a Chip Issue: 13 Dated: 2013 Pages: 2883-2887
Date Published
July 2013
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This project developed a novel antenna reconfiguration mechanism that relies on electrowetting based digital microfluidics to implement a frequency reconfigurable antenna operating in the X-band.
Abstract

The antenna, which is built on a quartz substrate (år = 3.9, tan ä = 0.0002), is a coplanar waveguide fed annular slot antenna that is monolithically integrated with a microfluidic chip. This chip establishes an electrowetting on dielectric platform with a mercury droplet placed in it. The base contact area of the mercury droplet can be spread out by electrostatic actuation, resulting in a change of loading capacitance. This, in turn, changes the resonant frequency of the antenna, enabling a reversible reconfigurable impedance property. This reconfigurable antenna has been designed, fabricated and measured. The frequency of operation is tuned from around 11 GHz to 13 GHz, as demonstrated by simulations and measurements. The design methodology, fabrication processes, and the experimental results are presented and discussed. (Publisher abstract modified)

Date Published: July 1, 2013