Flat double-layer metal-only metasurface with polarization-dependent operation in a C/X dual band.

Abstract

In this communication, a dual-band, orthogonal polarization transmission metasurface antenna operating at 6.5 GHz and 9.5 GHz is proposed. The element of this transmitarray is composed of only two identical layers of metal plates, with air medium filling the space between the upper and lower layers. Each layer has four sets of staggered I-slots, thus ensuring dual-frequency orthogonal polarization operation. Moreover the proposed element overcomes the challenge of achieving full 360-degree phase shift in dual-layer metal-only structures without any additional connecting elements. By altering the length of the slots, it can achieve a continuous full 360-degree phase shift while maintaining a transmission amplitude above -2 dB and exhibits co-polarized transmission in both bands. Then a prototype containing 16 × 16 elements is designed and fabricated to verify the feasibility of the design scheme. The measurement results, which are consistent with the simulation, demonstrate that the maximum gains of 24.85 and 27.64 dBi are obtained at 6.4 GHz and 9.4 GHz, with corresponding aperture efficiencies of 23.18% and 20.4% and a 3-dB gain bandwidth of 15.6% and 22.34%. The good transmission coefficients of the element and the dual-band capability make the design a competitive candidate for satellite and high-power applications.