US 11,929,553 B2
Mechanically reconfigurable antenna based on moire patterns and methods of use
Elie Shammas, San Diego, CA (US); Joseph Costantine, Albuquerque, NM (US); and Joe Taoum, Beirut (LB)
Assigned to American University of Beirut, Beirut (LB)
Filed by American University of Beirut, Beirut (LB)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/714,564.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/172,952, filed on Apr. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0328979 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. H01Q 3/44 (2006.01); H01Q 19/06 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 19/06 (2013.01) [H01Q 3/44 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mechanically reconfigurable antenna radiator system comprising: an antenna and a moiré radiation pattern actuated by a low power actuation mechanism; wherein the moiré radiation pattern includes an intersection of repeated patterns altering the antenna's characteristics including tuning the operating frequency, changing the antenna moiré radiation pattern, and altering the antenna's polarization between an elliptical or circular polarization; wherein the low power actuation mechanism comprises a small mechanical motion to create a geometric variation in the moiré radiation pattern to significantly change the antenna's characteristics; the small mechanical motion comprises a fixed rotation to change the polarization of the antenna or reconfigure the radiation pattern; the rotational change allows for continuous steering of the radiation pattern of the antenna with fine tuning over a 360° range; and the low power actuation mechanism is a ratchet mechanism driven by a shape memory alloy actuator.