Tema 3 RA Analysis and Design

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TOPIC 6: REFLECTARRAY AND TRANSMITARRAY ANTENNAS

Part I: Reflectarrays Analysis & Design
Jose A. Encinar,
ETSI Telecomunicación,
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
E-mail: jose.encinar@upm.es
Topic 6: Reflectarray and Transmitarray Antennas I
 Overview of reflectarray and transmitarray antennas: capabilities

and limitations.
 Analysis techniques for reflectarray cells.
 Reflectarray cells for broadband operation
 Analysis and design of reflectarray antennas
 Antenna design and optimization for broadband operation
 Reflectarrays using patches aperture-coupled to delay lines. True
time delay
 Multi-facet reflectarrays
 Software exercises using “Multilayer Reflect-Array: Design and
ANalysis Tool From UPM” (MRADANT-UPM)
 Design of contoured-beam reflectarrays
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Overview of reflectarray antennas: capabilities and limitations.
INTRODUCTION
• Periodic printed arrays can be excited by an external source (local plane wave)
• It can be used in transmission: The transmitted and reflected field depends on
frequency (FSS, filters), polarisation (polarizer), angle of incidence.
• A phase correction can be introduced in transmission (artificial lens, transmit-array), or
in reflection (Reflectarray), to generate a focussed or shape beam.
• Advantage wrt phased arrays: Simple air-fed instead of a complex and lossy beam
forming network.
X
INTRODUCTION
Wave front
REFLECTARRAY:
Phase
A planar array of microstrip patches on a delay
grounded substrate with a certain tuning to
produce a phase shift
Phase Control (at each element):

• Stubs of different length
• Varying the patch size
• Sequential rotation
Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 4
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REQUIRED PHASE-SHIFT
 To radiate a focused beam in the

direction (0 0 ), the reflected field must
have a progressive phase distribution:
Phase( x, y)   K sin ( x cos  y sin )
0 0 0 0
 The phase-shift to be implemented 30 0
on each reflectarray element:

-50
25
-100
20
-150
(any value from 0º to –360º) 15
10
-200
-250
5 -300
 ( x , y )  K  d  sin ( x cos  y sin ) 

-350
5 10 15 20 25 30
l l 0 l 0 l 0 l 0  30
-50
25
Number of elements in y
-100
20
To scan the beam, the phase-shift

-150
 15
-200
must be changed in a range of 360º

10 -250
-300
5
-350
5 10 15 20 25 30
Number of elements in x
CONCEPTS FOR PHASE-SHIFT
Patches with attached stubs

• Losses and spurious radiation due to the stubs
Varying the patch size (single layer)

• Narrow band
• lower cross polarisation ☺
(it can be improved by separate horizontal
and vertical dipoles) ☺
Sequential rotation
• Only for circular polarisation
• Low cross polarisation ☺
• Narrow band
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CONCEPTS FOR PHASE-SHIFT (cont.)
Aperture-coupled patches with stubs

• Active elements or controllable phase shifters
can be included ☺
• Single, dual-linear or circular polarisation
• Back radiation must be suppresed
• More room for stubs (delay lines)
Other phase-shift concepts: z

• Vivaldi elements with delay lines (no-planar)
• Fresnel reflectors (lower efficiency)
• Apertures of variable size (narrow band)
• Concentric rings, multi-resonant elements x
-y
REFLECTARRAY CAPABILITIES
 Combine advantages of reflectors and phased arrays:
– The feeding (as in reflectors) eliminates the complexity and losses of
the feeding network used in planar arrays
– Suitable for high gain focused beam
– Suitable for dual polarization, dual frequency reflectarrays
– Contoured beams by phase-only synthesis
(applications in space antennas for DBS)
– Multi-beam reflectarrays.
– It can change from one polarization to another
(liner to circular, twist of polarization)
– Steerable or reconfigurable beam, by inserting
controllable devices in the reflectarray elements
(PIN diodes or MEMs switches, varactor, LC, etc)
 Major limitation: narrow bandwidth (it can be overcome)
– Produced by the element
– By spatial phase delay (in large reflectarrays)
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ANALYSIS AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES
 Analysis of the reflectarray:

– An accurate analysis technique is essential for predictions of gain, co-
and cross-polar radiation patterns, efficiency and bandwidth.
– A very efficient analysis routine (low CPU time) is required for
optimization processes (design in one or more frequency bands).
 A practical design should cover the following steps:
– Analysis and design (parametric study) of the reflectarray cells, to
provide: enough bandwidth, low losses, low cross-polarization, etc.
– Definition of antenna optics: size of the aperture, f/D, period, etc.
– Analysis of the reflectarray antenna: compute

gain co- and cross-polar radiation patterns
– Design of reflectarray antenna: optimization of ZR
all the elements to ensure the antenna XR

i
requirements: focused or shaped beam, beam

scanning, in the required frequency band. i
YR
ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF REFLECTARRAY CELLS
Simple transmission-line models (stubs)

 Phase: - 2 L (proportional to stub length)
 It does not take into account the angle of incidence, the field reflected by
the layered ground plane
Full-wave techniques
 As an isolated element or in an array
 FDTD, MoM, FEM
 The field is the sum of 2 terms:
 Reradiated field - 2 L
 Reflected field
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ANALYSIS OF REFLECTARRAY CELL

Reflected field
Reradiated field ( 2 L)
(the phase is not controlled)
l l
 The combination of the 2 terms (amplitude and phase) produces a non

linear phase response.
 The phase curve is affected by resonances (the amplitude of each
component is varied) .
ANALYSIS BY INFINITE ARRAY MODEL
 Mutual coupling is taken into account assuming the element in a periodic

environment
 The analysis is reduced to only 1 periodic cell (Floquet’s theorem) Very
efficient!
 It can be used in any full-wave technique (FEM, MoM, FDTD)
 MoM in spectral domain is very efficient (different RA elements)
 It can be used for the analysis of the whole reflectarray, using local
periodicity.
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ANALYSIS OF PERIODIC ARRAYS WITH GROUND PLANE

 Method of Moments in Spectral Domain (MoM-SD) is used to analyze the
periodic cells because its efficiency and accuracy
 The field reflected on each element (m,n) is obtained by multiplying the
incident field and the reflection Coeff. Matrix “RRA”. It contains the scattered
(by patches) and excitation (without patches) field.
 The phase of coefficients ρxx and ρyy is used for the RA design
 Amplitude of the reflection coefficients give dissipative losses
 The coefficients ρxy and ρyx are the cross-polar components
X /Y
Einc  m, n  X /Y
Eref  m, n 
E X /Y
ref  m, n   R RA  m, n   EX /Y
inc  m, n 
  m,m  yxm,n 
R RA (m, n)   xxm,n 
  yym,n 
 xy Ground
Plane
PHASE CONTROL BY ADJUSTING PATCH SIZE (single array)
200
(degrees)
Phaserefl.(º )
100
Coeff.coef.
a1 0
a
Refl.Fase
h
-100
Inconveniences: -200
6 8 10 12 14
• Narrow band a1(mm)
• High slope
Infinite array, a=14mm., r= 1,05, h=1mm.
• Range: < 360º
11,5 ( ), 12 ( ) 12,5 ( ) GHz.
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FREQUENCY BAND LIMITATION BY THE RA ELEMENT

The requirement for broadband in a reflectarray element is different
than in a array.
Ideal broadband reflectarray element: The phase of the total
reflected+reradiated field should vary linearly with f, as - 2 L
For array antennas the element must be matched in a wide band. This is
not enough for elements with stubs, because of the reflected field (the
phase of the reradiated field is linear)
PHASE CONTROL BY ADJUSTING PATCH SIZE

(2-stacked array)
(degrees)
0
refl.(º )
-100
Phase
coef.
-200
Coeff.
Refl.Fase
-300
Advantages: -400
6 8 10 12 14
• Large element bandwidth a2(mm)
• More linear
• Range: > 360º Infinite array, a=14mm., r = 1,05, h=3mm.
11,5 ( ), 12 ( ) 12,5 ( ) GHz.
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PHASE OF REFLECTION COEFFICIENT VS. PATCH SIZE

( 3 STACKED ARRAYS)
Phase ((degrees)
-100
Ex )
-200
-300
Coeff. Phase
-400
Refl.Reflection
-500
-600
11.5 GHz
-700 12.0 GHz
12.5 GHz
-800
6 8 10 12 14
Patch side a3(mm)
Advantages: Infinite array, a=14mm., r = 1,05,
• range:  2 x 360º h=3mm.
• more flexibility for band optimisation
MEASUREMENTS OF LOSSES AND PHASE-SHIFT IN WGS
Reflection coefficient referred to a

Reflection Amplitude (WGS )
0
short circuit
-0.5
Losses <0.5dB
Phase-shift >360º -1
Good agreement -1.5 measured

Discrepancies in phase-shift due to theoretical
tolerances -2
8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12
Frequency (GHz)
0
Reflection Phase (WGS )
-200
-400
measured
theoretical
-600
8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12
Frequency (GHz)
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PARALLEL DIPOLES OF VARIABLE LENGTH

AS PHASE-SHIFTER
 Several resonances in the same layer (broadband behaviour)

 Linear polarisation
 Dual polarisation: orthogonal dipoles in opposite sides
 Reduction of cross polarisation
 Multi-layer configuration (reduction of number of layers)
TWO AND THREE PARALLEL DIPOLES (1 layer)
100 100
100
00
0
-100
-100
-100
-200
-200
14GHz
14GHz
-300
-300
-200
Reflexión (- TE o TM )
-400
-400
Reflexión
-300
.5 20GHz
20GHz -500
-500
.7
-400 -600
-600 .7
-700
-700
1.0 1.0
-500
3'75 mm sobre el plano de masa 4 mm sobre el plano de masa
-800
-800
12 mm 12 mm
-600
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 -900
-900
44 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Longitud -3
(a) x 10 (a)
Longitud (a) -3
-3
x 10
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ELEMENT BASED ON 2 SETS OF PARALLEL DIPOLES

0 100
0
-0.02
Phase ( S xx ) (deg)
Magnitude S xx (dB)
-100
 = 0.06 º/m
-0.04 -200
 =500 º
-0.06 -300
11.3 GHz 11.3 GHz
-400
12.6 GHz 12.6 GHz
-0.08
13.5 GHz -500 13.5 GHz
14.5 GHz 14.5 GHz
-0.1 -600
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
l (mm) l (mm)
a  b  12 mm,
l21  l22  l
Layers r tan  h(mm)
l11  l12  0.63l
1 2.17 0.0009 3.175
s1  s2  3.5mm
2 2.17 0.0009 0.127
w1  w2  0.5mm
REFLECTARRAY CELL BASED ON 4 DIPOLES FOR EACH POLARIZATION

Amplitude Sxx (dB)
Phase XX (deg.)
11 0
-0.1
10 -200 11.3 GHz
11.95 GHz
-0.2 12.6 GHz
9
-400 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Reflection Phase ( Sxx )
8 Dipole length (mm)

A
l
0
-600
7
-500 11.3 GHz
11.95 GHz
6
-800 12.6 GHz
-1000
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 Dipole length (mm)
l
B
Amplitude Sxx (dB)
Phase YY (deg.) 0
11
-200
10 -0.1 13.5 GHz
14.00 GHz
-400 14.5 GHz
9 -0.2
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
-600 Dipole length (mm)
Reflection Phase ( Sxx )
8
A
l
0
-800 13.5 GHz
7
14.00 GHz
-1000 -500 14.5 GHz
6
-1200
-1000
6 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
l Dipole length (mm)
B
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REFLECTARRAY
DUAL-POLARIZATION ELEMENT
DUAL-FREQUENCY RA CELL (4+4 DIPOLES)
 Two-layer reflectarray cell, with 29.5

two orthogonal sets of parallel GHz
dipoles.
 There are 8 dipoles for each linear
polarization (5+3).
 The period is Px= Py= 6.5 mm
(0.67·λ at 30 GHz) to avoid the H-pol.
appearance of grating lobes. V-pol.
 Dielectric layers:
 Layer A: hA = 1.5 mm, r= 2.17, lA1 = 0.65·lA3, lA2 = 0.8·lA3,
tan = 0.002. lA4 = 0.65·lA6, lA5 = 0.8·lA6
 Layer B: hB = 1 mm, r= 2.17, lB1 = 0.8·lB2, lB3 = 0.8·lB4
tan = 0.002. SXA = SYA = 0.5 mm, SXB = SYB = 1 mm
w = 0.25 mm
PHASE
DUAL-POLARIZATION RESPONSE
DUAL-FREQUENCY (I) (4+4 DIPOLES)
RA CELL
Phase variation at 19.7 GHz
Phase variation at 29.5 GHz
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ANALYSIS OF REFLECTARRAY ANTENNAS
 The radiation patterns of the reflectarray are computed from the phase
and amplitude of the total scattered field on each element.
– The phase is obtained in the design process to focus or shape the
beam
– The amplitude is slightly reduced (<1) by the dissipative losses
 Three approaches:
– The elements can be analyzed as isolated.
Mutual coupling is neglected (results are not
accurate)
– Each element is analyzed in a periodic
environment (local periodicity). Accurate ZR
results for smooth variation from one XR

i
element to the next.

i
– The reflectarray is analyzed as a whole YR
(MoM, multi-level approaches). It is more

accurate, but less efficient. It can be used
for analysis, not for optimizations.
ANALYSIS OF THE REFLECTARRAY USING LOCAL PERIODICITY
– Method of Moments in spectral domain assuming local periodicity is

used because its efficiency and accuracy (real values of angle of
incidence, polarization and field radiated by the feed).
– The very low CPU times allow to use this method in optimization
processes, in order to design in one or more frequency bands.
– The near field radiated by the horn should be taken into account
when the feed is not far enough from the reflectarray (subreflector)
– The field reflected on each element (m,n) is
obtained by multiplying the incident field
and the reflection Coeff. Matrix “RRA”
  m,m  yxm,n 
R RA (m, n)   xxm,n 
  yym,n 
ZR
 xy XR
i
X /Y
Eref  m, n   R RA  m, n   Einc
X /Y
 m, n  i
YR
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COMPUTATION OF RADIATION PATTERNS

The radiation patterns are computed from the tangential E field on the reflectarray
E RC x, y   E Rx x, y  xˆ  E Ry x, y  yˆ
Using the stationary-phase approximation, it is expressed in terms of the Fourier
transform of Ex and Ey components

 ~
  ~
E ( ,  )  jk ˆ cos   ˆ s i n  cos  E Rx (u, v)  ˆ s i n   ˆ cos  cos  E Ry (u, v)
e  jk0r
2 r
 
~ u, v  
 ERx / y x, y e 0 dx dy ;
jk ux vy 
E Rx/ y
u  sin  cos  , v  sin  sin 
RA
The integral is divided in the RA elements, assuming uniform field in each element
N x 1N y 1
 jk u m p x  v n p y  p2x 2y m, n 
p
E Rx / y u, v   K 1    e 0  p2x  p2y E Rx / y x' , y' e 0

~ jk u x '  v y ' 
dx' dy'
m0 n 0  
j
k0
   
u  N x 1d x  v N y 1 d y FFT
K1  e 2
Amplitud Phase
N x 1 N y 1
k up   k0 v p y   
ERx / y u, v   K1 px p y sinc 0 x  sinc
~ j x / y  m , n 
   A
jk0 u m d x  v m d y
x/ y (m, n) e e
 2   2  m 0 n 0
CO- AND CROSSS-POLAR RADIATION PATTERNS
The radiation pattern is obtained in terms of (,) components;
E  ,    jk
e  jkr ~
2 r
 ~
E Rx cos   E Ry sin  
E  ,     jk
e  jkr
2 r
~
 ~
cos  E Rx sin   E Ry cos  
Co-polar and cross-polar components according to the 3rd Ludwig definition,
for X- and Y- polarization:
 E pX   cos   sin    E 
 X   
E    sin   cos    E 
 q  
 E Yp   sin  cos    E 
 Y   
 E   cos   sin    E 
 q 
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DESIGN OF REFLECTARRAY ANTENNAS
1. Design curves: They relate the phase of the reradiated field with a
geometrical parameter (assuming normal incidence).
 The dimensions in each RA element are determined from the
curves.
 They do not take into account the angle of incidence, the
polarization of the field (approximate)
2. Design based on a full-wave analysis and Local Periodicity. In each

element the dimensions are adjusted to produce the required phase
for each polarisation (taking into account the angle of incidence).
 An optimization must be done in each element, so the analysis
technique should be very efficient (SD-MoM in a periodic array).
 Different phase distributions can be implemented for each
polarisation.
DESIGN PROCEDURE
To achieve a collimated beam at (0, φ0) at each element:

1) The phase-shift required on each element is determined (focused,
scanned or shaped beam)
2) The patch (line) dimensions are adjusted:
zero finding routine,  dimensions of each patch
(calls analysis routine) (to match the required phase)
• Analysis routine: each element in periodic environment
• Dual polarization: X and Y dimensions of the patches are adjusted for X
and Y polarized fields, respectively.
3) Optimization routine  refinement of dimensions
(to match the phase at several frequencies)
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40-cm REFLECTARRAY USING 2 LAYERS OF VARYING-SIZED PATCHES

• Frequency: 11.95GHz
• Polarization: dual linear
• Feed position:
xf = -116, yf = 0, zf = 340mm
• Separator: 3mm thick Rohacell
• Periodic cell: 14x14mm
0 10cm
J.A. Encinar, “Design of two-layer printed reflectarrays using patches of variable size”, IEEE Trans. on AP. Vol. 49, Oct. 2001, pp. 1403-1410.
MEASURED RADIATION PATTERNS VS. FREQUENCY
5
f=10.5 GHz
0 f=11.0 GHz
f=11.7 GHz
-5 f=11.95GHz
f=12.2 GHz
-10
Co-polar Rad. Pattern(dB)
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
-50
-150 -100 -50 0 50 100
Angle (degrees)
E (theta) Ex
Gain: 310.15dB in the
11.5 - 12.4GHz band
16% bandwidth (1.5dB)
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40-cm REFLECTARRAY USING CELLS WITH 4+4 DIPOLES

• Frequency: 10.5- 14.5GHz
• Gain: >30 dBi.
• Side-lobe level: -20 dB.
• Cross-polar level: -30 dB.
35
CP Y-pol Measured
XP Y-pol Measured
25
CP Y-pol Simulated
XP Y-pol Simulated
15
Gain (dB)
5
40 -5
-15
30
Gain & Cross-Pol. (dBi)
X-pol simulated Co-pol -25

Y-pol simulated -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
20 Azimuth angle (deg)
X-pol measured Cross-pol
Y-pol measured
X-pol stacked patches 35
CP Y-pol Measured
10 Y-pol stacked patches XP Y-pol Measured
25
CP Y-pol Simulated
0 XP Y-pol Simulated
15
Gain (dB)
-10 5
10.5 11 11.5 12 12.5 13 13.5 14 14.5 -5

Frequency (GHz)
-15
R. Florencio, J. A. Encinar, R. R. Boix, V. Losada and G. Toso, "Reflectarray Antennas for Dual -25
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
Polarization and Broadband Telecom Satellite Applications," in IEEE Trans. on AP, April 2015. Elevation angle (deg)
BAND LIMITATION BY DIFFERENTIAL PHASE DELAY

 Differential spatial phase delay
– Limitation in large reflectarrays (space
applications: SAR, TLC) Wave front
– Different lengths: feed-wave front Phase
delay
– Phase delay (>> 360º) is compensated:
• In a range of 360º (different zones)
• at central frequency only
0
0
45
-50 45 -100
40
Element number in y-direction
40 -200
35 -100
-300
35
30 -150 -400
30
25 -500
-200 Truncation to 360º 25
-600
20
20
-250 -700
15
15 -800
10 -300
10 -900
5
5 -1000
-350
10 20 30 40 50 -1100
Element number in x-direction 10 20 30 40 50
Element number in x-direction
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S = S2 – S1 = (N+d) N is an integer and d a fractional number

If frequency changes:
S = (N+d) S = (N+d)(+) = (N+d) + (N+d)

As the radiating elements geometry is fixed:
S = (N+d) + (N+d)
compensated phase
in a range of error
360º
i = (N+d)
To reduce the amount of frequency incursion error:
Larger f/D
N Smaller reflectarray
True-Time Delay

 It can be improved by :
1. Compensating the phase at several frequencies (3 stacked
patches, multi-resonant cells with dipoles)
2. Multi-facet reflectarrays (large antennas)
3. True time delay lines
X
Rectangular Radial-
circumferential Z
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BROADBAND DESIGN: Definitions
d(f) : Required phase delay of the reflection coefficient

o : Required phase shift at f0 limited to a 360º range
Dd(f2,f1)=d(f2) - d(f1) : Difference of phase delay at f1 andf2 (slope)
o at 12 GHz (5 x 360º) Dd(f2=12.4, f1=11.6 GHz)
Elliptical reflectarray: 1050 x 994 mm offset feed:Xf = -334 mm, Zf = 900 mm
BROADBAND DESIGN (Two and three array layers)
Three array layers are required to achieve any value of both o and Dd(f2,f1)
0
Reflection Phase (º)
-200
-400
-600 two-layers
three-layers
-800
4 6 8 10 12 14
Patch side (mm)
two-layers
Phase difference (º)
200 three-layers
100
0
4 6 8 10 12 14
Patch side (mm)
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Three-layer reflectarray:
• Two possible solutions for any required phase-shift
• Small phase-shift: Small or large phase difference (f2, f1)
• Total range for phase difference  300º
(1.6m reflectarray at Ku-band for F/D=1)
0 0
Reflection Phase ( Ex )
Reflection Phase ( Ex )
-200 -200
-400 -400
11.45 GHz 11.45 GHz
-600 12.10 GHz -600 12.10 GHz
12.75 GHz 12.75 GHz
-800 -800
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Patch length (mm) Patch length (mm)
400 400
Phase-shift f1-f2 ( Ex )
Phase-shift f1-f2 ( Ex )
300 300
200 200
100 100
0 0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Patch length (mm) Patch length (mm)
a2=0.9a3 a1=0.7a3 (1.5-mm separators) a2=0.9a3 a1=0.8a3 (1.5-mm sep.)
BROADBAND DESIGN (3-array layers)
1) Design at central frequency:

• The phase of the reflection coefficient o (f0) is determined
• The patch dimensions are adjusted:
zero finding routine,  dimensions of each patch
(calls analysis routine)
Analysis routine (MoM): each element in periodic environment

Dual polarization: X and Y patch dimensions are adjusted
2) Design in a frequency band:

• An optimisation routine is used to match both o (f0) and Dd(f2,f1)
• Also o (f) at different frequencies can be used in the optimisation
20
11/14/2016
RESULTS FOR 3 LAYER REFLECTARRAYS
0 0
11.4 GHz 11.4 GHz
-5 12.0 GHz -5 12.0 GHz
Radiation Pattern(dB)
Radiation Pattern(dB)
12.6 GHz 12.6 GHz

-10 -10
-15 -15
-20 -20
-25 -25
-30 -30
-35 -35
-40 -40
-45 -45
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Theta (degrees) Theta (degrees)
Non-optimised reflectarray 6dB Optimised in the band 11.4-12.6 GHz

gain reduction (10%) 0.5 dB gain reduction
because element and 360º zones
Elliptical reflectarray: 1050 x 994 mm offset feed:Xf = -334 mm, Zf = 900 mm
EFFECT OF 360º ZONES

 Radiation patterns for a 1.5-m reflectarray, assuming ideal
phasing elements in 360º zones.
 The effect is a moderated reduction in gain for a pencil beam, but
for contoured beams the shape is distorted
Offset configuration (f/D=1). Centered-fed configuration (f/D=0.7).

Gain reduction in 10% bandwidth: 2dB Gain reduction in 10% bandwidth: 3dB
21
11/14/2016
CONCLUSIONS (Patches and dipoles of variable size)
STACKED PATCHES OF VARIABLE SIZE

Two-layer reflectarrays:
Significantly improvement in element bandwidth
(moderate size or bandwidth)
 Three-layer reflectarrays:
Allows bandwidth improvement by compensating phase delay
at different frequencies.
PARALLEL DIPOLES OF VARIABLE LENGTH
 3+3 dipoles in one-layer reflectarrays:
Good element bandwidth
 4+4 dipoles in two-layer reflectarrays:
Similar performance as with 3 stacked patches, but lower
cross-polarization.
APERTURE-COUPLED PATCHES AS PHASE-SHIFTER

z
• Active elements or controllable phase shifters can
be included (pin diodes, MEMS) ☺
• A multi-layer periodic structure is analysed
• The GSM of each array layer is computed by MoM, x
and then cascaded
• Design of phase-shifter in two steps: -y
1) The radiating element is designed for 2) Reflection coefficient is computed

matching the microstrip line (excitation when a plane wave is incident as
is assumed from the line) function of l
22
11/14/2016
GEOMETRICAL DATA
In all cases:
 Periodic cell: 20 x 20 mm.
 Squared patches of 10 mm.
 Central frequency: 9.65 GHz.
 Normal incidence
Layer Substrate εr tan δ Thickness

d [mm]
AD 320 3.20 0.0030
1 AR 600 6.15 0.0030 0.79
AR 1000 10.0 0.0035
2 ROHACELL 31 1.05 0.0002 2.0
3 AD 320 3.20 0.0030 0.79
RESULTS
The element is matched in a wide band, but the phase is not linear.
εr = 3.2, matched to 50 Ω line

Dipole Xd = 1.85 [mm] Yd = variable + 2.70 (stub) [mm]
Aperture Xa = 6.00 [mm] Ya = 1.00 [mm]
Ground plane at λ/4 l
23
11/14/2016
VALIDATION IN WAVEGUIDE SIMULATOR

0
LAYER X, mm Y, mm
-0.5 PERIOD 14.25 12.60

Reflection Amplitude, WGS (dB)
LINE 1.60 2.06(stub)+variable

-1
SLOT 6.65 1.20
-1.5 PATCH 10.00 10.00

DIELECTRIC thickness, mm r / tan 
-2
D1 --- 1.000 0.0000
-2.5 measured without ground plane D2 0.508 3.380 0.0050
simulated without ground
Line plane
Length (mm)
simulated with ground plane D3 2.000 1.067 0.0002
-3
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 D4 0.790 3.200 0.0030
200
100
Reflection Phase with WGS (deg)
-100
-200
-300
-400
-500
7.5 GHz
-600 8.0 GHz
8.5 GHz
-700 9.0 GHz
simulations
-800
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Line Length (mm)
Reflectarrays: Capabilities
47 & Analysis
ELEMENT WITH LINEAR PHASE VARIATION

layer X, mm Y, mm
Aperture length is adjusted LINE 1.25 1.70(stub)+varia

ble
APERTURE variable 0.93

PATCH 9.30 9.30
PERIOD 18.50 18.50
DIELECTRIC thickness, mm r,, / tan 
D1 7.200 1.067 0.0002
D2 0.508 3.200 0.0030
D3 2.000 1.067 0.0020
D4 0.508 3.200 0.0030
24
11/14/2016
ELEMENT WITH LINEAR PHASE VARIATION
line U-shaped segment
TRUE TIME DELAY (TTD) REFLECTARAY [1]

Two reflectarrays have been designed at 9.65 GHz (for
phase limited to 360º and for TTD
 Number of elements: 1888
Gain = 36.3 dB
 Dimensions: 825 mm x 792 mm
BW = 2.7º
 Feed position: (-288, 0.0, 793) mm
 Radiation angle: θ0 = 18º, φ0 = 0º
0
0
45 -100
45
-50 -200
40
40
-300
-100 35
35
-400
30
30 -150 -500
25
25 -600
-200
20
20 -700
-250 15 -800
15
10 -900
10 -300
5 -1000
5
-350 -1100
10 20 30 40 50
10 20 30 40 50
phase-shift -360º < Φ(xi,yi)< 0º phase-delay N( –360º) < Φ(xi,yi)< 0º

[1] E. Carrasco, J. A. Encinar, M. Barba, “Bandwidth Improvement in Large Reflectarrays by Using True-Time Delay”, IEEE Trans. on Antennas
and Propagat., Vol. 56, pp. 2496-2503, Aug. 2008.
25
11/14/2016
TRUE TIME DELAY REFLECTARRAY
Masks for two reflectarrays designed at 9.65 GHz
Limited to 360º TTD
Comparison (9.65 GHz)

Phase limited to 360º vs TTD
u = sin(θ)cos(φ)
v = sin(θ)sin(φ)
40 40
Co-polar limited 360º Co-polar limited 360º
Co-polar TTD Co-polar TTD
30 Cross-polar limited 360º 30 Cross-polar limited 360º
Cross-polar TTD Cross-polar TTD
20 20
10 10
Gain (dB)
Gain (dB)
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
-0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
u v
plane v = sin (0º) plane u = sin (18º)
52 & Analysis 52
26
11/14/2016
40
Limited 360º
TTD
38 Ideal 0
Phase (degrees)
-500 Bandwidth (1.5 dB variation)
36 -1000
9.20 GHz
-1500 10.40 GHz 360º
11.60 GHz
34
Gain, dB
-2000
0 5 10
17.815
% (mm)
Line length
20 25 30 35
32 0
Amplitude (dB)
30
-0.5 TTD
-1 9.20 GHz
10.40 GHz
28 -1.5
0
11.60 GHz
5 10
26.7 % 15 20 25 30 35
Line length (mm)
26
8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12
Frequency, GHz
GAIN COMPARISON FOR DIFFERENT REFLECTARRAY SIZES

38
36
34 RA 3
RA1 32
9  = 280 mm
Gain (dB)
30
RA 2
28
26
24
Limited to 360º
22 RA 1 True Time Delay
RA2
18  = 560 mm
20
8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 12.5
Frequency (GHz)
40
35
30
Bandwidth (%)
25
RA3 20
27  = 840 mm 15
10
Reflectarray limited to 360º
5 Reflectarray with TTD
 = 31.08 mm @ 9.65 GHz 0

5 10 15 20
Reflectarray size (d/)
25 30
27
11/14/2016
CONCLUSIONS (Aperture-coupled patches)
 The variation of phase-shift vs. the length of the stub is

smooth and shows a good element bandwidth.
 A phase-shifter element for reflectarrays has been designed,
with range in phase delay > 4 x 360º.
 The large variation in phase delay can be used to improve
bandwidth in large reflectarrays by eliminating the effect of
spatial phase delay (TTD).
 The dissipative losses have been computed and they vary from
0.05 and 0.3 dB.
 This phase-shifter offers the possibility of including switches
(MEMS) or active elements for electronic reconfiguration.
BANDWIDTH IN LARGE REFLECTARRAYS

Bandwidth in large reflectarrays (space applications: SAR, TLC) is limited by the
“differential spatial phase delay :
 Different lengths: feed-wave front
 Phase delay (>> 360º) is compensated in a RA by the reflection coeff. in a
range of 360º (different zones) at central freq. Only
 To improve bandwidth distance S must be reduced
REFLECTARRAY Wave front

Phase
 delay
∆S
0
S1
S2
FEED
Centred-fed RA offset RA
56 & Analysis 56
28
11/14/2016
MULTI-FACET REFLECTARRAYS
The reflectarray can be designed in a multi-panel configuration approaching a
parabolic surface, in 1D or 2D
X
Z
DESIGN OF 3-PANEL PASSIVE REFLECTARRAY

 Elementary cells: 0,6  (18,65 mm)
 Central panel: 98x86 cells
 Lateral panels (symmetric): 125x86 cells
 The feed horn is located at Z=2000 mm.
 Frequency: 9,5 to 9,8 GHz
Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis

58
29
11/14/2016
Three-layer reflectarray with patches of variable size
 Sandwich configuration using 3-mm honeycomb

 The patch dimensions are adjusted to match phase-shift at
9.65 GHz and phase difference (9.5, 9.8 GHz) for dual
polarisation in each panel.
b3
b2
b1
Kevlar
honeycomb
Kevlar + dx
a3 a2 a1
LTM123 honeycomb Kapton
+
honeycomb LTM123
CFC
t t t dy
Radiation patterns at central and extreme frequencies

 Radiation patterns are practically the same at central and extreme frequencies,
thanks to the patch optimisation.
 The multi-facet configuration can be used in conjunction with other techniques
for bandwidth improvement for very large apertures.
Elevation Azimuth
50.0 50
dBi dBi
40.0 40
30.0 30
20.0 20
10.0
10
0.0
0
-10.0
0.0 deg 5.0 -10
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 deg3 4 5
f=9500 MHz
f=9650 MHz f=9500 MHz
f=9800 MHz f=9650 MHz
f=9800 MHz
Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis

60
30
11/14/2016
CONTOURED BEAM REFLECTARRAYS
• Reflectarrays can be used to generate

contoured beams (applications in Direct
Broadcast Satellites)
• The amplitude at each element is fixed by the
feed
• The phase must be adjusted to achieve the
required contoured beam: PHASE ONLY
SYNTHESIS Z
Zf
• Very efficient techniques based on the

intersection approach concept [1] has been X
implemented Xf
[1] O. M. Bucci, G. Franceschetti, G. Mazzarella, and G. Panariello, “Intersection approach to -Y

array pattern synthesis,” IEE Proceedings, vol. 137, pt. H, no. 6, pp. 349-357, Dec. 1990.
Contoured-beam Reflectarrays 61
DESIGN OF CONTOURED BEAM REFLECTARRAYS
The design is divided in two steps:

1. Phase-only pattern synthesis to achieve the required phase-
shift on the reflectarray surface (the amplitude is imposed
by the radiation pattern of the feed). The required phase is
obtained at several frequencies in the working band
2. Optimisation of patch dimensions to match the previous
phase-shift distribution at several frequencies. This process
is exactly the same as in the design of a pencil beam
reflectarray (in a given frequency band), but substituting
the phase distribution by the one that comes from the
phase-only synthesis.
Contoured beam Reflectarrays 62
31
11/14/2016
INTERSECTION APPROACH CONCEPT(1)

PRINCIPAL ADVANTAGE
High computational efficiency even for very large arrays
• Based on the absolute value of array factors

• Two involved sets: - computed radiation patterns of reflectarray
- radiation patterns which fulfill the mask
• The method minimizes the distance between both sets:
alternating projections
- needs the definition of

two projection operators
- very dependent on the
starting point
pattern  Pr ( Pm ( pattern ))  d

The projection operators
40 Max
Min
FFT-1 30
20
10
Aperture E field 0
-10
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

 [deg]
FFT Projection Pm(over the mask)

•Radiation pattern is truncated to fulfill the mask
•FFT is used to compute a new aperture field
New aperture E field + amplitude Projection Pr(realizable reflectarray) :

from feed •New aperture field with amplitude from feed is
used to compute real radiation pattern (FFT-1)
Very efficient phase synthesis even for very large arrays
32
11/14/2016
Dependence on the initial radiation pattern
- more number of elements, more degrees of freedom, more local minima
- non convexity of one of the sets employed

Bad convergence of the method and non proper
synthesized patterns
Solutions in order to avoid non-desired local minima:
1) To vary the used sets (square modulus of the array

factor): convex or quasi-convex sets improve the
convergence of the alternating projection but
loosing computational efficiency.
2) Reduce the number of variables: less number of local

minima.
Proposed solution: an initial fictitious reduction of

the number of elements, i.e., number of variables
33
11/14/2016

• The power radiation pattern of the feed-horn is modeled as cosq():
q   edge illumination 
• For a high taper, i.e., low edge illumination, the incident field on the outer
elements is practically negligible (not contribute to the radiation pattern)
FICTITIOUS REDUCTION
The phase synthesis process starts with a low edge illumination, the number of
variables and then, the number of degrees of freedom is reduced.
Amplitude, X Component (Pol. X) Amplitude, X Component (Pol. X)
q=15
q=60 60 60
Edge:
Edge:
-2 -10dB -2
-40dB 50
50
40 -4 40 -4
30 30
-6 -6
20 20
-8 -8
10 10
-10 -10
10 20 30 40 50 60 10 20 30 40 50 60
Number of elements in x Number of elements in x
Phase synthesis technique consists of a several stages process
Power pattern of the

Starting phase distribution q initial
feed-horn cosq()
Reflected field on the passive array
ALTERNATING PROJECTIONS METHOD
YES YES
Intermediate optimized q > q0 reduce q factor
phase distribution
NO
Final optimized phase distribution + cosq0()
Synthesized radiation pattern
34
11/14/2016
MULTI-FREQUENCY PATTERN SYNTHESIS
 The intersection approach is applied to achieve the phase

distribution at f0 for the required contoured pattern.
 Phase-shift at fi is obtained by assuming a linear phase

variation (as in a pencil beam)
Using previous phase distribution, the intersection approach

is applied again at fi
It gives a smooth variation of phase-shift with frequency
RESULTS: Coverage of South America and Florida
Antenna characteristics
- elliptical reflective surface:
x-axis  83.2 cm
y-axis  80.6 cm
- 3,124 elements
- edge taper –15.4 dB South America
- offset feed: Required no coverage
mask
transition region
Xf = -32.45 cm
0.1 gain: 22.5 dBi
gain: 22.51 dBi
Zf = 100.56 cm
gain: 25.5 dBi
0.05
Synthesis process 0
v
-starting point: out of focus -0.05
beam (u0 = -0.3, v0 = 0.0)

-3 stages: taper illuminations
-0.1
of -36.2, -24.4 and –15.4 dB -0.38 -0.36 -0.34 -0.32 -0.3 -0.28 -0.26 -0.24 -0.22 -0.2
-u
35
11/14/2016
REQUIRED PHASE SHIFT (at 13.5 GHz)
RADIATION PATTERNS (at 13.5 GHz)
36
11/14/2016
RADIATION PATTERNS
(for a 3-layer reflectarray at 13.5 GHz)
0.15 0.15
30 30
0.1 0.1
25 25
0.05 0.05
20 20
0 0
15 15
v
v
-0.05 -0.05
10 10
-0.1 -0.1
5 5
-0.15 -0.15
-0.2 0-0.2 0
-0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15 -0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15
-u -u
Designed at 13.5 GHz Optimised in the 13-14 GHz band
RADIATION PATTERNS
(for a 3-layer reflectarray at 13 GHz)
0.15 300.15 30
0.1 0.1
25 25
0.05 0.05
20 20
0 0
15 15
v
v
-0.05 -0.05
10 10
-0.1 -0.1
5 5
-0.15 -0.15
-0.2 0 -0.2 0
-0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15 -0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15
-u -u
37
11/14/2016
RADIATION PATTERNS
(for a 3-layer reflectarray at 14 GHz)
0.15 300.15 30
0.1
25 0.1 25
0.05 0.05
20 20
0 0
15
v
15
v
-0.05 -0.05
10 10
-0.1 -0.1
5 5
-0.15 -0.15
-0.2 0 -0.2 0
-0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15 -0.4 -0.35 -0.3 -0.25 -0.2 -0.15
-u -u
(c) (c)
RADIATION PATTERNS (CROSS-POLARISATION)

(for a 3-layer reflectarray at 13.5 GHz)
38
11/14/2016
LAYOUT FOR THE SECOND ARRAY LAYER
CONCLUSIONS (Contoured beam reflectarrays)

 The design is divided in two steps:
1) Pattern synthesis to achieve the required phase-shift
2) Optimization of patch dimensions to match the phase shift
at several frequencies.
 A phase-only synthesis technique based on intersection approach
has been implemented
 Very efficient for large number of elements (>10,000)
 Multi-frequency synthesis (smooth phase variation with f)
 A three-layer reflectarray of 80cm has been designed for a
South America coverage.
 It fulfills coverage requirements in the 13-14 GHz band.
 Some applications will be presented for DBS and base station
antennas.
39
11/14/2016
BIBLIOGRAPHY (Reflectarrays Capabilities & Analysis)
1. John Huang, Jose A. Encinar, Reflectarray Antennas, IEEE Press, John Wiley, 2008.
2. C. Wan, J.A. Encinar, “Efficient computation of generalized scattering matrix for analyzing multilayered periodic structures”,
IEEE Trans. on AP., 43(11), 1995, pp. 1233-1242.
3. J.A. Encinar, “Design of two-layer printed reflectarrays using patches of variable size”, IEEE Trans. on AP. Vol. 49, Oct.
2001, pp. 1403-1410.
4. J. A. Encinar, J. A. Zornoza, “Broadband design of three–layer printed reflectarrays”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation, 51(7), 2003, 1662– 1664.
5. E. Carrasco, J. A. Encinar, M. Barba, “Bandwidth Improvement in Large Reflectarrays by Using True-Time Delay”, IEEE
Trans. on Antennas and Propagat., Vol. 56, pp. 2496-2503, Aug. 2008.
6. O. M. Bucci, G. Franceschetti, G. Mazzarella, and G. Panariello, “Intersection approach to array pattern synthesis,” IEE
Proceedings, vol. 137, pt. H, no. 6, pp. 349-357, Dec. 1990.
7. J. A. Zornoza, J. A. Encinar, “Efficient Phase-Only Synthesis of Contoured Beam Patterns for Very Large Reflectarrays”, Intl.
J. RF & Microwave Computer-Aided Eng. Sept. 2004.
8. J.A. Encinar, J.A. Zornoza, “Three–Layer Printed Reflectarrays for Contoured Beam Space Applications”, IEEE Trans. on
Antennas and Propagation, 52(5), 2004, 1138–1148.
9. R. Florencio, J. Encinar, R. R. Boix and G. Perez-Palomino, "Dual-polarisation reflectarray made of cells with two orthogonal
sets of parallel dipoles for bandwidth and cross-polarisation improvement," in IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, vol.
8, 15, pp.1389-1397, 2014.
10. R. Florencio, J. A. Encinar, R. R. Boix, V. Losada and G. Toso, "Reflectarray Antennas for Dual Polarization and Broadband
Telecom Satellite Applications," in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 1234-1246, April
2015.
40

Tema 3 RA Analysis and Design

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11/14/2016

TOPIC 6: REFLECTARRAY AND TRANSMITARRAY ANTENNAS

Topic 6: Reflectarray and Transmitarray Antennas I

 Overview of reflectarray and transmitarray antennas: capabilities

Overview of reflectarray antennas: capabilities and limitations.

Phase Control (at each element):

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 4

 To radiate a focused beam in the

 The phase-shift to be implemented 30 0

on each reflectarray element:

(any value from 0º to –360º) 15

 ( x , y )  K  d  sin ( x cos  y sin ) 

To scan the beam, the phase-shift

must be changed in a range of 360º

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 5

CONCEPTS FOR PHASE-SHIFT

Patches with attached stubs

Varying the patch size (single layer)

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 6

CONCEPTS FOR PHASE-SHIFT (cont.)

Aperture-coupled patches with stubs

Other phase-shift concepts: z

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 8

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES

 Analysis of the reflectarray:

– Analysis of the reflectarray antenna: compute

all the elements to ensure the antenna XR

requirements: focused or shaped beam, beam

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 9

ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF REFLECTARRAY CELLS

Simple transmission-line models (stubs)

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 10

ANALYSIS OF REFLECTARRAY CELL

 The combination of the 2 terms (amplitude and phase) produces a non

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 11

ANALYSIS BY INFINITE ARRAY MODEL

 Mutual coupling is taken into account assuming the element in a periodic

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 12

ANALYSIS OF PERIODIC ARRAYS WITH GROUND PLANE

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 13

PHASE CONTROL BY ADJUSTING PATCH SIZE (single array)

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 14

FREQUENCY BAND LIMITATION BY THE RA ELEMENT

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 15

PHASE CONTROL BY ADJUSTING PATCH SIZE

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 16

PHASE OF REFLECTION COEFFICIENT VS. PATCH SIZE

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 17

MEASUREMENTS OF LOSSES AND PHASE-SHIFT IN WGS

Reflection coefficient referred to a

Good agreement -1.5 measured

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 18

PARALLEL DIPOLES OF VARIABLE LENGTH

 Several resonances in the same layer (broadband behaviour)

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 19

TWO AND THREE PARALLEL DIPOLES (1 layer)

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 20

ELEMENT BASED ON 2 SETS OF PARALLEL DIPOLES

Reflectarrays: Capabilities & Analysis 21

REFLECTARRAY CELL BASED ON 4 DIPOLES FOR EACH POLARIZATION