EMNZ metamaterial switch configured for antenna modulation in a switched-beam array antenna

A method for EMNZ metamaterial-based direct antenna modulation, comprising:

• generating, utilizing a signal generator, a microwave signal;
• generating, utilizing a metamaterial switch, a modulated microwave signal from the microwave signal by selectively passing the microwave signal through the metamaterial switch, wherein the selectively passing the microwave signal comprises adjusting an effective permittivity of the metamaterial switch to a predetermined value by:
• placing a first conductive plate of the metamaterial switch in parallel with a first loaded conductive plate of the metamaterial switch, the first loaded conductive plate comprising a first graphene monolayer;
• positioning the first graphene monolayer between the first conductive plate and a second conductive plate of the first loaded conductive plate;
• depositing a first magneto-dielectric material of the metamaterial switch on the first loaded conductive plate;
• and
• tuning a first tunable conductivity of the first graphene monolayer;
• and
• radiating the modulated microwave signal by coupling an antenna with the metamaterial switch.

An EMNZ metamaterial-based switched-beam array antenna, comprising:

• a plurality of antennas configured to radiate a microwave signal, each of the plurality of antennas associated with a respective direction of a plurality of directions, the plurality of directions comprising a predetermined direction and a direction set;
• and
• a plurality of metamaterial switches comprising a predetermined metamaterial switch and a metamaterial switch set, the plurality of metamaterial switches configured to direct the microwave signal to the predetermined direction, each of the plurality of metamaterial switches coupled with a respective antenna of the plurality of antennas, each of the plurality of metamaterial switches comprising:
• a first conductive plate;
• a first loaded conductive plate comprising:
• a second conductive plate parallel with the first conductive plate;
• and
• a first graphene monolayer comprising a first tunable conductivity, the first graphene monolayer positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate;
• and
• a first magneto-dielectric material deposited on the first loaded conductive plate;
• wherein an effective permittivity of the metamaterial switch is configured to be adjusted to a predetermined value responsive to tuning the first tunable conductivity.