This paper presents a design for an optically reconfigurable printed dipole antenna. A wideband coplanar
waveguide (CPW) to coplanar stripline (CPS) transition is used to feed the balanced printed dipole. Two silicon
photo switches are placed on small gaps in both dipole arms equidistant from the centre feed. Light from two
infra-red laser diodes channelled through fibre optic cables is applied to the switches. With the gaps in the
dipole bridged, the antenna resonates at a lower frequency. Measured return loss results that compare well to the
simulated values are also presented, showing a frequency shift of nearly 40%. The change in bore-sight gain
along with radiation patterns are also presented