Research: Design and Performance Evaluation of Reconfigurable Antennas for Sub-6GHz and...

Research question: How can reconfigurable antenna architectures be optimized to efficiently support both sub-6GHz and mmWave bands for 5G applications?

Background & Motivation: The evolution of 5G wireless networks demands antenna solutions capable of operating efficiently across both sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies, enabling high data rates, low latency, and robust connectivity. Conventional antenna designs often lack the flexibility required for dynamic adaptation to heterogeneous network requirements.

Research Gap: Current literature demonstrates various reconfigurable antenna approaches, but comprehensive studies addressing simultaneous optimization for both sub-6GHz and mmWave bands within a single hardware platform are limited. The challenge lies in achieving high isolation, compactness, and tunability across widely separated frequency ranges.

Approach & Expected Contribution: This project will review state-of-the-art reconfigurable antenna designs, propose novel architectures utilizing techniques such as PIN diodes, MEMS switches, and metamaterial structures, and evaluate their performance via electromagnetic simulation and prototype testing. Expected outcomes include design guidelines for dual-band reconfigurability and quantitative benchmarks for efficiency, isolation, and switching speed.

Why it Matters: The findings will inform future 5G hardware development, facilitating adaptive connectivity in diverse environments and supporting emerging applications such as edge computing, IoT, and vehicular communications.