Wideband-reconfigurable reflectarrays based on rotating loaded split rings

Abstract

In this paper, reflective periodic arrays with rotating spiraphase-type elements based on loaded split rings are analyzed. It is proven that these arrays can be reconfigured over a wide frequency band with high reflection elevation angles, low conversion losses, and low axial ratios. A full-wave mathematical model has been developed to calculate their reflection characteristics. This model has been used to design a Ka-band reflectarray. The analysis of the designed reflectarray shows that an incident circularly polarized wave can be redirected at reflection elevation angles as high as 40° with conversion losses less than 1.8 dB and axial ratios less than 2 dB over the frequency band from 26.6 to 46.3 GHz. Additionally, the rotation of the reflectarray elements using minimotors is analyzed and discussed. In order to study the velocity properties of the electromechanical actuation, minimotor-driven antenna elements in the X-band have been designed, fabricated, and tested.

Keywords:

• reflectarrays
• reflective periodic surfaces
• antenna arrays
• reconfigurable antennas

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the DGAPA PAPIIT [grant number IN114213], [grant number IN116112], [grant number IN117814] and the CONACYT [grant number 166106].