Variable Reflect Array and Design Method of Variable Reflect Array

Abstract

[Project] The objective is to enable flexible adjustment of the incident orientation within a vertical or horizontal plane by reconfiguring the incident orientation. [Solution] A variable mechanism is provided to vary the spacing of multiple supercells, and when the spacing of multiple supercells in the variable mechanism is changed, the other angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable reflect array having a variable structure with reflective orientation and a variable reflector using a metasurface. Background Technology

[0002] In communication, reflectors are sometimes placed in the radio wave path for purposes such as high linearity in the millimeter wave band and compensating for signal loss. It is desirable to increase the aperture size of the reflector placed in the radio wave path to achieve a gain of 75 dBi or more in terms of antenna gain.

[0003] The gain of metamaterial reflectors varies depending on the aperture area. To compensate for this gain, it is necessary to increase the dimensions of the reflector. However, since increasing the gain results in sharper directivity, installation precision significantly impacts installation effectiveness and performance. The sharp directivity makes it difficult to adjust the direction of incidence from the base station. Consequently, due to the sharp directivity at high gain levels, it is difficult to face the incident waves from the base station head-on.

[0004] Accordingly, a mechanism capable of adjustment based on the angle of incidence is required.

[0005] A mechanical adjustment mechanism for adjusting the direction of the entire reflector can also be considered. In addition, a configuration in which the reflection angle is variable by a two-layer structure is known (Non-patent Literature 1). Prior art literature

[0006] "Construction Method of a Two-Layer Patch-Type Variable Reflection Angle Meta-Surface," IEICE Technical Report, New Edition Vol. 114 (522), pp. 13-16, March 19, 2015, Ryuji Kuse et al. The problem to be solved

[0007] However, if the adjustment in the direction of incidence is performed mechanically, such as by changing the orientation of the entire reflector, a mechanism for mechanical adjustment is required, which leads to an overall increase in the size of the device and prevents the utilization of the reflector's advantage of being thin and requiring no space for installation.

[0008] In addition, if a two-story structure is used to make the reflection angle variable, the structure becomes larger.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention aims to enable flexible adjustment of the incident orientation within a vertical or horizontal plane by reconfiguring the incident orientation.

[0010] In addition, the present invention aims to realize the above adjustment in a single layer rather than in a stacked layer. means of solving the problem

[0011] The variable reflect array according to claim 1 of the present invention is,

[0012] A plurality of super cells having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, and

[0013] A variable mechanism for varying the spacing of the plurality of super cells mentioned above, and

[0014] The above super cell is composed of a plurality of unit cells, and the unit cell has an antenna,

[0015] The above variable mechanism is,

[0016] having a super cell spacing adjustment unit that arranges the plurality of super cells at intervals selected from 2 or more intervals,

[0017] In the above variable mechanism, when the spacing of the plurality of super cells is changed, the other angle of incidence or angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant for the electromagnetic wave of the predetermined wavelength.

[0018] With this configuration, it becomes possible to flexibly adjust the incident or reflection directionality within a vertical or horizontal plane by reconfiguring the incident or reflection directionality. Furthermore, with this configuration, this adjustment can be realized in a single layer rather than a stacked one, thereby enabling a mechanism that allows for adjustment according to the angle of incidence by facilitating frontal engagement with incident waves from the base station, even in the case of sharp directivity at high gain, while taking advantage of the benefits of the reflector, such as being thin and requiring no large space for installation.

[0019] The variable reflect array according to claim 2 of the present invention is,

[0020] The variable reflect array described in claim 1, wherein the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection is changed by 10° or more by changing the spacing of the super cells in the above variable mechanism.

[0021] The variable reflect array according to claim 3 of the present invention is,

[0022] The spacing of the above supercells is,

[0023] When enlarged from a predetermined interval, the angle of incidence or reflection increases, and when reduced from a predetermined interval, the angle of incidence or reflection decreases, or

[0024] It is a variable reflect array described in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection decreases when enlarged from a predetermined interval, and the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection increases when reduced from a predetermined interval.

[0025] The variable reflect array according to claim 4 of the present invention is,

[0026] The electromagnetic wave of the above-mentioned predetermined wavelength is polarized in addition to horizontal polarization and also in addition to vertical polarization, and has polarization tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction,

[0027] The above unit cell is a variable reflector array described in any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged in a direction tilted by a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction in the same direction as the polarization with respect to a predetermined electromagnetic wave.

[0028] The variable reflect array according to claim 5 of the present invention is,

[0029] The electromagnetic waves of the above predetermined wavelength are 45° polarized, and

[0030] The above unit cell is a variable reflector array described in claim 4 that is positioned at a 45° angle from the horizontal direction.

[0031] The variable reflect array according to claim 6 of the present invention is,

[0032] The above supercell is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the above supercell, and also

[0033] It is a variable reflect array described in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is arranged offset by a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction of the super cell.

[0034] The variable reflect array according to claim 7 of the present invention is,

[0035] The above supercell has a first plurality of supercells and a second plurality of supercells,

[0036] The above-mentioned first plurality of supercells are arranged to be offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the supercell and in a first direction which is one direction of the length direction of the supercell, and also,

[0037] The second plurality of super cells described above is a variable reflect array described in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is arranged so as to be offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell and in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0038] The variable reflect array according to claim 8 of the present invention is,

[0039] The above unit cell is a variable reflector array described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by having a roughly straight metal plate extending radially from the center.

[0040] The variable reflect array according to claim 9 of the present invention is,

[0041] The above unit cell is a variable reflector array described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is a cross dipole having a metal plate with a roughly cross shape.

[0042] This configuration can handle orthogonal two-polarization.

[0043] The variable reflect array according to claim 10 of the present invention is,

[0044] The spacing of the above supercell is a variable reflect array as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein changing the spacing changes both the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection.

[0045] The design method of a variable reflect array according to claim 11 of the present invention is,

[0046] A method for designing a variable reflect array as described in any one of claims 1 to 10,

[0047] This is a method for designing a variable reflect array having a step in which the other angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant with respect to an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined wavelength by changing the spacing of the plurality of super cells.

[0048] The method for designing a variable reflect array according to claim 12 of the present invention is,

[0049] A method for designing a variable reflect array having a plurality of super cells having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, wherein the super cells are composed of a plurality of unit cells, and the unit cells have antennas.

[0050] A step of designing the super cell having the plurality of unit cells, and

[0051] A method for designing a variable reflect array having a step in which, after designing the above supercells, the spacing between the plurality of supercells is changed so that, with respect to an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined wavelength, one of the incident angles or the other of the reflection angles is changed while keeping one of the incident angles or the other of the reflection angles constant. Effects of the invention

[0052] With the above configuration, the present invention makes it possible to flexibly adjust the incident directionality or reflection directionality within a vertical or horizontal plane by reconfiguring the incident directionality or reflection directionality. Furthermore, with this configuration, this adjustment can be realized in a single layer rather than a stack, and while taking advantage of the benefits of a reflector that is thin and does not require a large space for installation, it is possible to realize a mechanism that enables adjustment according to the angle of incidence by facilitating frontal facing with the incident wave from the base station, even in the case of sharp directionality at high gain. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0053] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of a metasurface in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a super cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a unit cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a unit cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a unit cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of a super cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of a super cell in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 shows an example of a design method for a variable reflect array in one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0054] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a variable reflect array (10) in one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the variable reflect array (10) includes a variable reflector.

[0055] The variable reflect array (10) is equipped with a plurality of super cells (20) and a variable mechanism (30). When the super cells (20) are approximately rectangular, the spacing of the super cells (20) may be adjusted in the short side direction of the super cells (20) as shown in FIG. 1, or in the long side direction of the super cells (20) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the super cell (20) is a metasurface having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength. FIG. 3 shows both cases where the reflection direction is negative and where it is positive.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the super cell (20) is composed of a plurality of unit cells (21).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the unit cell (21) has an antenna having a roughly straight metal plate extending radially from the center.

[0059] In this embodiment, the unit cell (21) has a cross-shaped resonator (22) as an antenna disposed on the surface of the dielectric substrate (23), and has a ground layer (24) on the back side of the dielectric substrate (23). Here, the cross shape may include a roughly square shape in one form. In addition, the antenna may be a roughly straight antenna instead of a cross-shaped dipole as in this embodiment.

[0060] Although it is stated that "the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are different for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength," it may also include cases where the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection become the same when the spacing of the super cell (20) is adjusted. That is, the super cell (20) forms a metasurface, and the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are not basically limited to being the same, but can be changed by adjustment.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a unit cell (21) in one embodiment, viewed from the horizontal direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the unit cell (21) has a cross-shaped resonator (22), and the resonator (22) is a so-called mushroom type supported on a substrate (25) through a support member.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows the configuration viewed from the upper direction of the unit cell (21) in one embodiment.

[0064] In this embodiment, the unit cell (21) has an L-shaped resonator (22) that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions within the horizontal direction. The resonator (22) is a so-called mushroom type supported by a support member on a substrate (25), but it may also be configured to be disposed on the surface of a dielectric substrate (23) and have a ground layer (24) on the back side of the dielectric substrate (23).

[0065] Next, the design of the super cell (20) is described.

[0066] Depending on the desired angle of incidence and angle of reflection, the cell size (D) and the angle of incidence (θ i ), reflection angle(θ r A super cell (20) is designed by deriving from the relationship between the wavelength (λ0) and the mode (m).

[0067]

[0068] When the reflection angle is kept constant, if the incident angle is made variable, the length of the super cell (20) changes, but the phase gradient does not change. For example, it can be designed as follows.

[0069] In the case of 60° reflection from -5° incidence, the length of the super cell (20) is 11.2 mm, in the case of 60° reflection from 0° incidence, the length of the super cell (20) is 12.3 mm, and in the case of 60° reflection from 5° incidence, the length of the super cell (20) is 13.7 mm.

[0070] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a variable reflect array (10) with cell spacing for an incident angle of 0°. In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, if the spacing of the unit cells (21) is increased by 1.2 mm, it corresponds to an incident angle of +5°, and as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, if the spacing of the unit cells (21) is reduced by 1.2 mm, it corresponds to an incident angle of -5°. In this way, by adjusting the spacing of the unit cells (21) within 1.2 mm, it is possible to correspond from -5° to +5°.

[0071] In this way, by adjusting the horizontal spacing of the super cell (20) while keeping the phase gradient (super cell (20)) constant, the angle of incidence can be varied while keeping the angle of reflection constant.

[0072] The variable mechanism (30) varies the spacing between multiple super cells (20) and has a substrate portion and a super cell-side fixing portion. The super cells (20) are fixed to the substrate portion through the super cell-side fixing portion, and the distance between the super cells (20) can be selected from a spacing of 2 or more. In particular, in this embodiment, the spacing can be selected from a continuous value.

[0073] The variable mechanism (30) has a super cell spacing adjustment unit (31) that arranges a plurality of super cells (20) at intervals selected from two or more intervals. Additionally, the variable mechanism (30) may be structured to allow for further spacing changes after fixing the super cells (20) at desired intervals. If the spacing is adjustable, adjustment can be facilitated. Alternatively, the variable mechanism (30) may be structured such that the spacing cannot be changed after fixing the super cells (20) at desired intervals. If the spacing cannot be changed, the structure may be rigid. The variable mechanism (30) and the super cell spacing adjustment unit (31) may include any structure that allows for manual or automatic adjustment of the spacing of the super cells (20) during manufacturing, etc., or allows for manual or automatic adjustment of the position of the super cell side fixing part.

[0074] Naturally, just as in the case described above, the angle of reflection can also be adjusted while keeping the angle of incidence constant.

[0075] In this way, when the spacing of a plurality of super cells (20) in the variable mechanism (30) is changed, the other angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength.

[0076] And, when the spacing of the super cell (20) is expanded from a predetermined spacing, the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection increases, and when it is reduced from a predetermined spacing, the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection decreases, or, when it is expanded from a predetermined spacing, the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection decreases, and when it is reduced from a predetermined spacing, the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection increases.

[0077] With this configuration, it becomes possible to flexibly adjust the incident or reflection directionality within a vertical or horizontal plane by reconfiguring the incident or reflection directionality. Furthermore, with this configuration, this adjustment can be realized in a single layer rather than a stack, and while taking advantage of the benefits of the reflector—such as being thin and requiring no large space for installation—it is possible to realize a mechanism that enables adjustment according to the angle of incidence by facilitating frontal engagement with the incident wave from the base station, even in the case of sharp directivity at high gain.

[0078] In one embodiment, the variable reflect array (10) changes the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection by changing the spacing of the super cell (20) in the variable mechanism (30) by more than 10°.

[0079] FIG. 14 shows a reflective array in which the angle of incidence changes by more than 10°. FIG. 15 shows a reflective array in which the angle of reflection changes by more than 10°.

[0080] When installing the variable reflect array (10), it is difficult to make fine adjustments facing the base station, whereas it is often easy to install it in the direction of the base station with approximate precision. For this reason, if it can be adjusted within a range of about 10°, both installation and adjustment become easy.

[0081] In this way, the super cell (20), which is an assembly of unit cells (21) constituting the metasurface reflect array, is additionally formed into an assembly of multiple units, and the structure is configured such that the horizontal spacing or the horizontal positional relationship of the upper and lower assemblies is variable, thereby allowing the incident orientation to be flexibly adjusted while keeping the reflection direction constant.

[0082] In addition, adjustment of both the horizontal and vertical planes of directivity becomes possible. Furthermore, when the relationship between the incident and reflection directions is switched, adjustment of the reflection directivity becomes possible while keeping the incident direction fixed.

[0083] However, in vertical polarization and horizontal polarization, when the direction of incidence changes toward the direction of reflection, the gain tends to decrease. Also, when an angle of incidence is applied, the side lobes in the frontal direction tend to increase.

[0084] In one embodiment, the variable reflect array (10) shown in FIG. 16 reflects electromagnetic waves having polarization that is tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction, in addition to horizontal polarization and also in addition to vertical polarization. The unit cell (21) is arranged in a direction tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction with respect to the polarization that is tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction. Here, "arranged tilted in the same direction as the polarization direction" means that it is arranged tilted by an amount approximately equal to the rotation angle of the polarization.

[0085] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic wave having polarization tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction described above is 45° polarization, and in the variable reflect array (10) shown in FIG. 17, the unit cell (21) is arranged at a 45° angle from the horizontal direction.

[0086] Even in 45° polarization, if positioned by rotating 45° around the Z-axis, that is, the vertical direction of the ground in Fig. 14, the angle of incidence can be adjusted while maintaining a constant angle of reflection. In addition, side lobes, such as the amount of reflection in the frontal direction, are improved by more than -10dB compared to VH polarizations such as horizontal polarization or vertical polarization described above.

[0087] Instead of adjusting the spacing in the horizontal direction, tilt can be applied in an arrangement where the horizontal super cells (20) are arranged vertically as in FIG. 18 and offset at regular intervals in the horizontal direction. That is, in the reflection in the vertical direction (up and down direction in the drawing), the reflected wave or the incident wave can be tilted with respect to the vertical direction.

[0088] In this embodiment, the super cell has a first plurality of super cells and a second plurality of super cells.

[0089] And, the super cell (20) is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell (20), and is also arranged offset by a predetermined amount in the length direction of the super cell (20).

[0090] In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, the horizontal super cells (20) are arranged vertically, and in the horizontal direction, they are offset to the right and to the left at regular intervals, so that the beam can be widened.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first plurality of super cells (20) are arranged so as to be offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell (20) and also in a first direction which is one direction of the length direction of the super cell (20), and the second plurality of super cells (20) are arranged so as to be offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell (20) and also in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

[0092] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, when the spacing of the super cell (20) is changed, both the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are changed.

[0093] With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly respond to both the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection.

[0094] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a variable reflect array (10). In this embodiment, the variable reflect array (10) has flexibility and can be installed on a curved surface and is installed on a cover (40).

[0095] In most cases, the radius of curvature of the installed curved surface is fixed. For this reason, it is often easy to design a variable reflect array (10) in advance to fit the curved surface.

[0096] In one embodiment, the design method of the variable reflect array (10) has a step in which the other angle of incidence or the angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength by changing the spacing of a plurality of super cells (20). By this design method of the variable reflect array (10), any one of the variable reflect arrays (10) described so far can be designed.

[0097] In one embodiment, the variable reflect array (10) designed by the design method of the variable reflect array (10) comprises a plurality of super cells (20) having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, and the super cells (20) are composed of a plurality of unit cells (21), and the unit cells (21) have antennas.

[0098] And, as shown in FIG. 22, there is a super cell design step S10 for designing a super cell (20) having a plurality of unit cells (21), and a spacing adjustment step S20 in which, after designing the super cell (20), the spacing between the plurality of super cells (20) is changed so that, for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, one side of the angle of incidence or the other side of the angle of reflection is changed while keeping one side of the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection constant.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that it includes various embodiments within the scope of not departing from the spirit of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0100] 10; Variable Reflect Array 20; Supercell 21; unit cell 22; Resonator 23; Genome 24; Ground layer 25; substrate 30; variable mechanism 31; Super cell spacing adjustment unit 40; cover

Claims

Claim 1 A variable reflect array comprising a plurality of super cells having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, and a variable mechanism for varying the spacing of the plurality of super cells, wherein the super cells are composed of a plurality of unit cells, and the unit cells have antennas, and the variable mechanism has a super cell spacing adjustment unit for arranging the plurality of super cells at a spacing selected from two or more spacings, and wherein, when the spacing of the plurality of super cells is changed in the variable mechanism, the other angle of incidence or reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or reflection constant for electromagnetic waves of the predetermined wavelength. Claim 2 In claim 1, a variable reflect array in which the angle of incidence or the angle of reflection is changed by 10° or more by changing the spacing of the super cells in the variable mechanism. Claim 3 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacing of the supercells increases the angle of incidence or reflection when expanded from a predetermined spacing and decreases the angle of incidence or reflection when contracted from a predetermined spacing, or decreases the angle of incidence or reflection when expanded from a predetermined spacing and increases the angle of incidence or reflection when contracted from a predetermined spacing. Claim 4 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave of the predetermined wavelength is polarized in addition to horizontal polarization and also in addition to vertical polarization, and has polarization tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction, and the unit cell is arranged in a direction tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction with respect to the predetermined electromagnetic wave in the same direction as the polarization. Claim 5 In claim 4, the electromagnetic wave of the predetermined wavelength is 45° polarized, and the unit cell is arranged at a 45° angle from the horizontal direction, forming a variable reflect array. Claim 6 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the super cell is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell and is also arranged offset by a predetermined amount in the length direction of the super cell. Claim 7 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the super cell comprises a first plurality of super cells and a second plurality of super cells, wherein the first plurality of super cells are arranged offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell and also in a first direction which is one direction of the length direction of the super cell, and further wherein the second plurality of super cells are arranged offset by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the super cell and also in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. Claim 8 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit cell has a straight metal plate extending radially from the center. Claim 9 A variable reflect array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit cell is a cross dipole having a cross-shaped metal plate. Claim 10 In claim 1 or 2, the spacing of the supercells is a variable reflect array in which both the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are changed when the spacing is changed. Claim 11 A method for designing a variable reflect array as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein by changing the spacing of the plurality of super cells, the other angle of incidence or angle of reflection is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or the other angle of reflection constant for the electromagnetic wave of the predetermined wavelength. Claim 12 A method for designing a variable reflect array having a plurality of super cells having different angles of incidence and reflection for electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, wherein the super cells are composed of a plurality of unit cells, and the unit cells have antennas, the method comprising the step of designing the super cells having the plurality of unit cells, and the step of, after designing the super cells, changing the spacing between the plurality of super cells so that the other angle of incidence or reflection angle is changed while keeping one angle of incidence or reflection angle constant for electromagnetic waves of the predetermined wavelength.

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