Recent advances on millimetre wave reconfigurable reflectarrays

This paper presents recent advances on reconfigurable reflectarrays at the University of Perugia. In particular the activities carried out in the framework of the European Network of Excellence AMICOM (Advanced MEMS for RF and MIllimeterwave COMmunications), those currently in progress within the FP7 project ARASCOM (‘MEMS & Liquid Crystal based’ Agile Reflectarray Antennas for Security & COMmunication) and the activities carried out in the framework of the recently started ESA Project RESKUE (Transportable REflectarray Antenna for Satellite KU-band Emergency Communications) will be illustrated. As for AMICOM outcomes, details of the design and fabrication of two reflectarrays operating at Ka-band will be provided, while innovative solutions and architectures for mm-wave imaging systems based on reflectarray antennas will be illustrated as work in progress within ARASCOM project. Concerning RESKUE project, the innovative solution proposed and the progress status will be illustrated. The theoretical basis for the accurate analysis and design of reconfigurable will be also provided, introducing a novel circuit model approach for an efficient analysis and optimized design of complex reconfigurable structures.

[1]  Raphael Gillard,et al.  Design and measurement of new reflectarray antenna using microstrip patches loaded with slot , 2005 .

[2]  Wolfgang Menzel,et al.  Millimeter-wave folded reflector antennas with high gain, low loss, and low profile , 2002 .

[3]  M. Okoniewski,et al.  Realizing an electronically tunable reflectarray using varactor diode-tuned elements , 2005, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters.

[4]  J. Encinar.  Design of two-layer printed reflectarrays using patches of variable size , 2001 .

[5]  L. Cabria,et al.  An Active Reflectarray with Beamsteering Capabilities , 2005, 2005 18th International Conference on Applied Electromagnetics and Communications.

[6]  R. Sorrentino,et al.  Design of large mm-wave beam-scanning reflectarrays , 2005, The European Conference on Wireless Technology, 2005..

[7]  Sean V. Hum,et al.  Integrated mems reflectarray elements , 2006, 2006 First European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

[8]  Roberto Sorrentino.  MEMS-Based Reconfigurable Reflectarrays , 2007 .

[9]  Vincent Fusco,et al.  Liquid-crystal-based reflectarray antenna with electronically switchable monopulse patterns , 2007 .

[10]  Patrick Pons,et al.  MEMS controlled phase-shift elements for a linear polarised Reflectarray , 2005 .

[11]  M. Riel,et al.  Design of an Electronically Beam Scanning Reflectarray Using Aperture-Coupled Elements , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[12]  M. Arrebola,et al.  Dual-Polarization Dual-Coverage Reflectarray for Space Applications , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[13]  Patrick Pons,et al.  Satellite antennas based on MEMS tunable reflectarrays , 2007 .

[14]  Marek E. Bialkowski,et al.  Design, development, and testing of X-band amplifying reflectarrays , 2002 .

[15]  Kai Chang,et al.  An Offset Linear-Array-Fed Ku/Ka Dual-Band Reflectarray for Planet Cloud/Precipitation Radar , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[16]  W. Menzel,et al.  A 76 GHz multiple-beam planar reflector antenna , 2002, 2002 32nd European Microwave Conference.

[17]  M. Hajian,et al.  Design, Analysis and Measurements of Reflected Phased Array Microstrip Antennas at Ka-band, using Hollow Phasing , 2006, 2006 European Radar Conference.

[18]  R. Jakoby,et al.  Basic investigations of 35 GHz reflectarrays and tunable unit-cells for beam steering applications , 2005, 2005 European Microwave Conference.

[19]  P. Blondy,et al.  A novel reflectarray using integrated band reject filters , 2005, 2005 European Microwave Conference.

[20]  R. Jakoby,et al.  Basic investigations of 35 GHz reflectarrays and tunable unit-cells for beamsteering applications , 2005, European Radar Conference, 2005. EURAD 2005..

[21]  R. Gillard,et al.  A reflectarray antenna in KA band with MEMS control , 2004, 2004 10th International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics and URSI Conference.

[22]  R. Cahill,et al.  Beam steering reflectarrays using liquid crystal substrate , 2005, High Frequency Postgraduate Student Colloquium, 2005.

[23]  J.J. Lee,et al.  A wideband beam switching antenna using RF MEMS switches , 2001, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium. 2001 Digest. Held in conjunction with: USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting (Cat. No.01CH37229).

[24]  Robert J. Davies,et al.  An evolvable antenna platform based on reconfigurable reflectarrays , 2005, 2005 NASA/DoD Conference on Evolvable Hardware (EH'05).

[25]  Raphael Gillard,et al.  A steerable reflectarray antenna with MEMS controls , 2003, IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology, 2003..

[26]  R. Cahill,et al.  Tunable liquid crystal reflectarray patch element , 2006 .

[27]  Y. Rahmat-Samii,et al.  Reconfigurable patch antennas for steerable reflectarray applications , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[28]  J.I.M. Lopez,et al.  Spiraphase-type reflectarrays based on loaded ring slot resonators , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[29]  E. Carrasco,et al.  Reflectarray Element Based on Aperture-Coupled Patches With Slots and Lines of Variable Length , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[30]  Hyok J. Song,et al.  Two-dimensional beam steering using an electrically tunable impedance surface , 2003 .

[31]  P. Pons,et al.  MEMS controlled linearly polarised reflectarray elements , 2006, 2006 12th International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics and Canadian Radio Sciences Conference.

[32]  C. Renard,et al.  ERASP: A new reflectarray antenna for space applications , 2006, 2006 First European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

[33]  Eduardo Carrasco,et al.  Aperture-coupled reflectarray element with wide range of phase delay , 2006 .

[34]  R. Sorrentino.  Reconfigurable reflectarrays based on RF MEMS technology , 2008, 2008 Microwaves, Radar and Remote Sensing Symposium.

[35]  L. Cabria,et al.  A SIMPLE VECTOR CONTROL UNIT FOR LOW COST ACTIVE REFLECTARRAY APPLICATIONS , 2003 .