Broadband RCS reduction by means of disordered coding metasurfaces

Abstract

Pattern Search (PS) optimization algorithm has been used for the design of disordered coding metasurfaces with the aim of reducing both monostatic and bistatic Radar Cross Section (RCS) in the 26–40 GHz frequency range. On this basis, high and low phase-state unit-cells have been defined with special attention to the minimization of coupling between the elementary patterns, thus allowing a quasi-constant 180° phase difference over a broad frequency range. Then, finite size metasurfaces have been designed and fabricated using the printed circuit board technological process. Finally, the experimental characterization of various disordered samples leads to −10 dB monostatic RCS reduction over a relative frequency band broader than 35% with a good agreement with both simulated and analytic theoretical predictions. This illustrates the relevance of disordered coded patterns for RCS reduction as well as the PS optimization approach as a design method of coding metasurfaces.