Two-dimensionally high AR performance beam scanning utilizing randomly-rotated single-PIN-diode elements for...

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics and Metamaterials
• Antenna Theory and Design

Background:

• Metasurfaces offer advanced control over electromagnetic waves.
• Controlling cross-polarization and axial ratio (AR) is crucial for circularly polarized applications.
• Existing methods may have limitations in achieving precise control and wide-angle scanning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel technique using randomly rotated elements (RREs) for cross-polarization and AR control in circularly polarized programmable metasurfaces (CPPMS).
• To evaluate and compare the performance of RREs layouts against uniform elements (UEs) layouts.
• To demonstrate a high-performance 1-bit CPPMS prototype with wide-angle beam scanning capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Simulated far-field radiation parameters for 50 CPPMS groups with varying RREs layouts.
• Designed and fabricated a 1-bit CPPMS in Ku-band (20x20 elements) using an optimal RREs layout.
• Measured prototype performance in an anechoic chamber.

Main Results:

• RREs layouts consistently improved CPPMS performance, reducing cross-polarization and enhancing AR beamwidth compared to UEs.
• The fabricated 1-bit CPPMS prototype achieved high gain (22.34 dBi) and low cross-polarization (-20.5 dB).
• Demonstrated wide-angle beam scanning (±60°), a narrow 3 dB AR beamwidth (8.93°), and suitable bandwidths for Ku-band operation.

Conclusions:

• The RREs technique provides effective cross-polarization and AR control for CPPMS.
• The proposed 1-bit CPPMS exhibits high-performance 2D AR beam scanning.
• This technology holds significant promise for advanced satellite communication systems.