Abstract: In this communication, a frequency-, radiation pattern- and polarization-reconfigurable antenna employing liquid metal is presented. Two crossed dipole antennas are surrounded by four independent reflectors and directors to realize multi-beam switching. The length of dipole arms can be adjusted by extracting the liquid metal from the needle tube to achieve frequency reconfiguration. The polarization can be switched by injecting liquid metal into different dipole microfluidic channels. It is simple in design and has multiple reconfigurable capabilities. An antenna with a relative frequency tuning range of 35.8% extending from 2.43 GHz to 3.49 GHz is fabricated. It also can perform 6 kinds of beam steering over a 360 coverage and switch between two different polarizations. The antenna has potential to employ cognitive radio (CR) and base station in wireless systems.

Key words: reconfigurable antenna, liquid metal, crossed dipoles, reflectors, compound reconfiguration