Zig-zag antenna array and system for polarization control

An example antenna system includes a zig-zag antenna array. The zig-zag antenna array includes a stack of conductive disks and at least one crossed zig-zag antenna extending through the stack of conductive disks. The at least one crossed zig-zag antenna includes an element pair that includes a plurality of crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs between the stack of conductive disks. A respective crossed zig-zag antenna segment pair extends between a respective lower conductive disk and a respective upper conductive disk. The example antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the element pair to switch the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to drive the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves with polarization states that include vertical, horizontal, elliptical, or circular polarization.