Design of Multi-Functional Transmitarray with Active Linear Polarization Conversion and Beam Steering Capabilities

Abstract

This study designed a multi-functional reconfigurable transmitarray with switchable polarization and beam steering capabilities using only a PIN diode having ON/OFF switching ability. The simulation confirmed that the proposed architecture is capable of 2D beam scanning of up to ±45° for elevation and azimuth while maintaining or converting linear polarization when operating within the X-band. The performance was verified through a far-field beam pattern measurement using the near-field antenna measurement system by producing a transmitarray with an 8 × 8 unit cell arrangement. The maximum level of gain of the proposed architecture was confirmed to be 14.5 dBi, the sidelobe level was below 14.5 dBc, the polarization converting loss was below 1.28 dB, and the polarization isolation level was above 14.7 dB. It can be utilized for the design technique of a radar system demanding small size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) characteristics based on a simplified composition.