Carlos Saavedra of Queens University, Canada

Advances in Agile and Compact Antenna Systems: Metasurface Architectures, Fluidic Reconfiguration and 3D Printed Structures

Presenter:  Prof. Carlos E. Saavedra, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This talk presents recent contributions in high-performance, reconfigurable, and 3D printed antennas for broadband wireless systems. We begin with the development of metasurface-based and substrate-integrated dual-band filtering antennas and beam-steering arrays operating in the Ku–Ka bands (12–40 GHz). These architectures employ geometrical perturbation and optimization-driven nonuniformity to achieve compact form factors, sharp inter-band selectivity, and wide beam scanning with stable gain performance.  The second part of the talk explores fluidically tunable antenna systems that employ microfluidic channels and dielectric liquids to dynamically control operating frequency, polarization, and beam direction. These designs demonstrate frequency tuning bandwidths of 5–25% and polarization reconfigurability between linear and circular modes, offering a robust approach for high-RF-power reconfigurability without electronic introducing electronic distortion in the signal path. Finally, we discuss 3D-printed and dielectric and metal antenna structures, including corrugated horn antennas, graded-index lensed antennas, filtering rod antennas, and other structures.  Additive manufacturing enables rapid, low-cost prototyping of complex geometries for frequencies up to and beyond W-band (75-110 GHz) while preserving excellent electromagnetic performance, with measured gain and frequency bandwidths that compete with conventionally manufactured structures. Collectively, these efforts illustrate a coherent path toward agile, fabrication-efficient antenna systems that merge material innovation, electromagnetic design, and practical engineering.

Biography:

Carlos E. Saavedra, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Full Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
https://csaavedra.net/index.html

Journal Editorships
Guest Editor, IEEE Open Journal on Antennas and Propagation, 2019–20; Associate Editor, IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn., 2013–17;  Guest Editor, IEEE Microwave Magazine (Centennial Issue on Mixer Technology), 2013

Technical Program & Steering Committee Service
IEEE International Microwave Symposium; IEEE NEWCAS; IEEE RFIC Symposium, IEEE Latin American Microwave Conference

Selected Publications
(Career total: 92 journal papers; 98 refereed conference papers; 4 patents)

A. Singh and C. E. Saavedra, “Wideband Magnetoelectric Dipole Phased Array with SICL Feed    
and Reactive Impedance Surface,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., 2025.

Mehdi Babazadeh, Carlos E. Saavedra, "X-Band Dielectric Rod Antenna With Pre-Select Bandpass Filter,"  IEEE ACCESS, 2025.

M. D. Brown and C. E. Saavedra, “Dual-Band SIW Metasurface Filtering Antenna with High Inter-Band Selectivity,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., 2024.

H. Banting et al., “Electromagnetic Deactivation Spectroscopy of Human Coronavirus 229E,” Scientific Reports, 2023.

I. Goode and C. E. Saavedra, “3D Printed Dually Symmetric Orthomode Transducer and Horn Antenna,” IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag., 2023.

A. Singh and C. E. Saavedra, “Fluidic Stub-Loaded Patch Antenna for Frequency-Tunable Polarization Reconfiguration,” IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag., 2021.

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