Design and analysis of reconfigurable reflectarray antennas for Ka-band satellite communications on the move

Abstract

A scanned beam reflectarray antenna (RA) is theoretically designed and analyzed for Ka-band satellite communications on the move (SOTM). A general theoretical approach is developed where the effect of mutual couplings between elements of the array is reasonably considered, resulting in a good prediction of antenna radiation characteristics. The designed reflectarray is constructed with a new broadband and low loss unit cell (UC). Some of the primary achievements are presented, showing pattern gain loss better than −4.8 dB, cross polarization level less than −10 dB (worse cases are in ±45° inter-cardinal planes), and side lobe level less than −27 dB for scanned angles up to ±60° from broadside in whole azimuth area.