Frequency tunable liquid metal planar inverted-F antenna

Abstract

A frequency tunable liquid metal antenna that can compensate for hand effects is presented for use in mobile phones. The antenna structure is based on a planar inverted-F antenna, which is frequently considered as an internal antenna. The upper arm of the antenna was formed using liquid metal filled in a Teflon tube. The liquid metal used was Galinstan. The length of the filled portion determined the resonant frequency of the antenna. The tuning capability of the antenna was demonstrated through an automatic tuning experiment, in which the resonant frequency of the antenna was automatically recovered from disturbances caused by a human hand being placed in the proximity of the antenna.