Linearly-Polarized Electronically Reconfigurable Transmitarray Antenna with 2-bit Phase Resolution in Ka-Band

This paper demonstrates the numerical results of a 196-element linearly-polarized electronically reconfigurable transmitarray in Ka-band. The proposed array architecture is based on a wideband and low-loss unit-cell with 2 bits of phase resolution (90 degrees-step between two consecutive phase states). The unit-cell size (length x width x height) is equal to 5.1x5.1x1.3 mm(3) and it is composed of six metal layers, three dielectric substrates and two bonding films. Four p-i-n diodes are soldered on the radiating elements in order to control the transmission phase. The full-wave simulations of the transmitarray are in agreement with the results predicted by using an ad-hoc simulation tool based on analytical model and electromagnetic simulations. The transmitarray antenna presents a maximum gain of 22.9 dBi, corresponding to an aperture efficiency of 32.3%, and a side-lobe level equal to -18.1 dB at 29 GHz. The computed 3-dB gain-bandwidth is larger than 15.9% around 29 GHz.