Beyond Planar: An Additively Manufactured, Origami-Inspired Shape-Changing, and RFIC-Based Phased Array for Near-Limitless Radiation Pattern Reconfigurability in 5G/mmWave Applications

This paper presents an origami-inspired phased array operating at 28 GHz, with on-structure integrated beamformer RFICs and a flexible feeding network that utilizes a foldable hinge interconnect. Leveraging origami principles, the phased array offers near 360-degree beamsteering in the azimuth plane with reconfigurable multi-beam or quasi-isotropic radiation patterns. Additive manufacturing techniques including 3D and inkjet printing are used to fabricate a low-cost and lightweight prototype. Measurements demonstrating pattern reconfigurability due to shape-change and beamsteering signify a significant leap in overcoming challenges faced by traditional phased arrays.