Study of Different Multi-Beam Reflectarray Configurations

Abstract

Dual-reflectarray configurations exhibits some advantages from both mechanical and electrical points of view with respect to reflector antennas. Dual-reflectarray antennas present a reduced volume and the capability of being easily folded. These antenna configurations provide phase control on both reflectarray surfaces, which can be used to improve the antenna performance for multiple beams, beam scanning or shaped beams. An electronic controllable reflectarray can be used as subreflector to drastically reduce the number of elements to be controlled for applications requiring steering or reconfiguration of the beam, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar applications. Three antenna configurations using either passive or reconfigurable reflectarrays as sub and main reflector in different frequency bands for beam scanning applications are shown.