Patent ID: 8487823

Claim:
A switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer comprising: a plurality of radiating elements; an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements; an antenna input coupled to the RF feed; and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising: a dielectric substrate comprising a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal; wherein, in a first state, the switchable polarizer is configured to allow incident signals to pass without affecting a polarization of the incident signals; wherein, in a second state, the switchable polarizer is configured to change the polarization of the incident signals from a linear polarization to a circular polarization; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially empty of the liquid metal in the first state; and wherein the plurality of channels are substantially filled with the liquid metal in the second state.