Fundamental/harmonics beam control using 1-bit space time-modulated plasma DMA

This paper investigates a space-time modulated digital metamaterial array (DMA) based on reconfigurable plasma ionization. The DMA consists of 8 x 8 unit-cell elements with total dimensions of 120 x 120 x 3.2 mm(3). Each unit-cell consists of a ring container filled with argon gas and is backed with a grounded dielectric substrate. The argon gas is ionized into a plasma state through metallic electrodes. The logic state of the unit cell is controlled via the changing of the plasma frequency, omega(p). The value of omega(p) = 6 x 10(11) rad/sec represents logic "0", and omega(p) = 8 x 10(11) rad/sec represents logic "bit 1". The periodic time switching of the plasma ionization controls the radiation at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies. The on-time instants and on-time durations control the number of radiated beams, their directions, amplitudes, and side-lobe levels. Different time-switching sequences are investigated for beam steering, dual-sum beams, broadside beams, end-fire beams, multi beams, and fan-shaped beams for wireless communications applications. The DMA was investigated under different switching sequences for phase-modulation and amplitude-modulation schemes. A full-wave simulation CST Microwave Studio simulator is used to analyze the proposed DMA and the results are compared with ideal point sources array excited with the same switching sequences.