Keywords

antenna, array, mm-wave, software-defined radio, switched beam, espar

Abstract

This dissertation explores design challenges and promising solutions for mm-Wave directional software-defined radio (DSDR) reconfigurable antenna arrays. Current state-of-the-art solutions for DSDR antenna arrays at mm-Wave frequencies are typically limited to one beam, which does not take advantage of the directivity and spatial reusability of mm-Wave bands. Additionally, mm-Wave phased array antennas typically incur large amounts of loss from both commercial and state-of-the-art beam steering methods. In this dissertation, both challenges are addressed and so- lutions are proposed through several novel antenna array designs. The first challenge, designing an array for mm-Wave DSDR communications is achieved through a switched-beam array, capable of establishing full 360◦ and maintaining two simultaneous links. This array is then incorporated into a SDR testbed to test the ability to maintain two simultaneous links using modulated signals. To address the need for more directive antenna beams, which necessitate beam steering, two ad- ditional phased arrays are designed using electronically steerable parasitic array radiator (ESPAR) architecture. The Quasi-Yagi elements from the switched beam array are used to design two ES- PAR arrays, one where the elements are coupled in the E-plane and one where they are coupled in the H-plane. Both designs are able to achieve beam steering while bypassing losses that would be incurred in traditional beam steering.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Xun Gong

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029818

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Download

Share

COinS