Design and Development of Miniaturized Microstrip Reflectarray Antenna for Ku Band Applications

Abstract

Materials and Methods: Design of unit cell of MRA found to be one of important parameter. Using infinite array approach method, resonant element of MRA is observed in unit cell environment. The reflection phase curve helps to characterize the dielectric material as well as shapes of resonant elements. The numerical analysis technique helps to find the reflected phase of each element on reflectarray antenna. Use of Fast Fourier Transform algorithm reduces the computational time for computing the field pattern. Reflectarray geometry design, simulation and development have been carried out for finding aperture shape and feed. newlineResults and Discussion: Phase only synthesis, array tapering and the computation of array factor using FFT, directivity calculation has been carried out in the numerical analysis portion. The frequency of operation was 13.4 GHz. Ansys HFSS was used for designing of the MRA while MATLAB was used for the numerical analysis. Comparative study on the reflection phase curve parameters helps to finalize the type of dielectric material and shape of reflectarray elements, showing amount of miniaturization. The study of bandwidth limitation clarifies the elemental bandwidth and aperture shape limitations. Efficiency and bandwidth study gives an approximate value of f/D ratio. One and two layer MRA with smaller and larger aperture was designed and developed Comparison has been made between simulated results and fabricated results. newlineConclusion: In this research work, a miniaturized microstrip reflectarray antenna with single and double layered structure of reflectarray antennas are designed and developed at 13.4 GHz. newline