Optically Controlled Frequency Reconfiguration of a Printed Dipole Antenna Using a 940 nm Laser: NanoVNA Characterization
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Optical control provides a way to reconfigure an antenna without routing an electrical control network through the radiator. This study compares a segmented printed dipole with and without conducting feed extensions in dark and nominal 940 nm illuminated states. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) predictions are compared with NanoVNA-F V3 records and reported angular patterns. FDTD matching frequencies change from 2.4001 to 1.4052 GHz without extensions and from 2.4400 to 1.4251 GHz with extensions. Detailed NanoVNA readouts indicate corresponding changes from 2.56074 to 1.38077 GHz and from 2.36000 to 1.38077 GHz, giving nominal downshifts of 46.08% and 41.49%. Deviations relative to FDTD are 1.74–6.69%; selected S11 values range from ?23.848 to ?28.514 dB, and displayed VSWR values are 1.078–1.137. Dark and illuminated marker spans are 0.83986 and 0.41993 GHz for NL, and 0.72000 and 0.95984 GHz for WL. The WL-D span uses 1.80000 and 2.52000 GHz markers; the 33.31% WL increase describes marker intervals, not verified ?10 dB bandwidth. The additional pattern figure shows two opposed lobes in the four displayed cuts, with annotated direction differences of 3.1–9.7° from FDTD. NanoVNA Saver 0.7.3 and 101-point files are documented. Raw frequency and angular samples, calibration records, and repeated acquisitions are still needed to verify bandwidth and calibrated radiation performance. The results support further laboratory development; educational, resource-use, and community outcomes require separate evaluation.
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