Phase distribution analysis of reflectarrays based on variable material properties

Abstract

Reflectarray antennas provide a low cost, low volume and low profile way for different type of applications but due to limited phase ranges and high reflection loss performance their use is limited in the field of satellite and earth observatory systems. In this paper a rectangular patch reflectarray operating at 10 GHz constructed on 1mm thick isotropic and anisotropic substrates is proposed to be employed as a dynamic phase control strategy for terrestrial systems. Some important parameters such that Electric Field Intensity and Current Density have been used to investigate the static and dynamic phase range performance of reflectarrays in X-band frequency range. The preliminary analysis results demonstrate that the basic material properties can significantly affect the performance of reflectarrys. Further more a change in electrical behavior could also vary the static and dynamic phase distributions of reflectarrays. The dielectric isotropic and anisotropic properties of materials in collaboration with electrical properties presented in this work are shown to significantly affect the phase range of reflectarray antenna performance particularly for rapid dynamic phase change of satellite and earth observatory systems.