Mechanically Pattern Reconfigurable Yagi–Uda Monopole Antenna Using Magnetic Gear

In this paper, a novel mechanically reconfigurable Yagi-Uda monopole antenna using magnetic gear is proposed. The proposed antenna is composed of a folded monopole element and floating inverse T-shaped director/reflector elements. As the floating inverse T-shaped director/reflector elements rotate, main beam direction of the proposed antenna scans. A magnetic gear is introduced to rotate the floating inverse T-shaped director/ reflector elements in a mechanically contactless manner. Owing to the magnetic gear, the proposed antenna is free from mechanical connection between antenna elements and actuators. A prototype of the proposed antenna is designed at 2.5 GHz band and is fabricated including a mechanical control system for the magnetic gear. Finally, radiation performance and reconfigurability of the proposed antenna are clarified numerically and experimentally.