A high-gain dual-beam folded transmit-reflect-array antenna based on phase-shifting surface

Abstract

In this paper, a high-gain dual-beam folded transmit-reflect-array antenna is designed based on the shared aperture method. It consists of the top transmit-reflect-array, the bottom transmitarray, and the feed horn located at the center of the bottom transmitarray. A phase-shifting surface is proposed as the transmission unit cell capable of transmitting incident waves while providing adequate transmission phase shift. The designed transmission unit cell is improved into the transmit-reflect unit cell by adding polarization grids to realize the reflection function. The bottom transmitarray is constructed by transmission unit cells. The top transmit-reflect-array is composed of transmit-reflect unit cells and polarization grids vertical to the unit cell. The x-polarized wave transmits through the top transmit-reflect-array and forms a pencil beam in the forward direction. In addition, the y-polarized wave is reflected by the top transmit-reflect-array and transmits through the bottom transmitarray to form a pencil beam in the backward direction. The tested realized gains of the transmitted beam and reflected beam at 10 GHz are 19.87 dBi with an aperture efficiency of 48.27 % and 23.95 dBi with an aperture efficiency of 30.88 %, respectively. With its low profile and ease of manufacture, it has great prospects for navigation and radar communication.