Reconfigurable Reflectarray Antenna for Wideband Multi-Band Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable array antennas for satellite communication can only cover a single frequency band or require complex multi-layer stacked or cross-arranged co-aperture methods, leading to increased complexity, power consumption, and costs, which are not suitable for the wide bandwidth and multi-band frequency operations required by satellite communication.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray antenna with a feed antenna and a reconfigurable reflectarray surface composed of M×N elements, each equipped with polarization-converting metal patches and switching devices, allowing phase modulation and dynamic beam control across multiple frequency bands using a single aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-layer stacked co-aperture method or cross-arranged co-aperture method is used to increase bandwidth and number of operation frequency bands, then bandwidth and number of operation frequency bands are increased, but device complexity, system power consumption, and costs increase sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single reconfigurable reflectarray antenna element that can operate across multiple frequency bands (X, Ku, Ka bands) without requiring separate antenna structures. The polarization-converting metal patch with switching devices enables the same physical structure to serve multiple frequency bands, eliminating the need for multi-layer stacked or cross-arranged co-aperture methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using switching devices to dynamically alter the electrical characteristics of the metal patch, specifically changing the polarization conversion ratio and phase response at different frequency bands. This allows a single structure to adapt its parameters to match requirements across X, Ku, and Ka bands without physical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-layer stacked co-aperture method or cross-arranged co-aperture method is used to increase bandwidth, then bandwidth is increased, but system power consumption increases sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The single reconfigurable reflectarray element performs multiple functions across different frequency bands, eliminating the need for multiple separate antenna elements that would each require independent power supply and control circuits. This universal design reduces overall system power consumption while maintaining wide bandwidth coverage from X to Ka bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple frequency band operations into a single antenna element structure, combining the functions of what would traditionally require separate multi-layer stacked or cross-arranged elements. This consolidation reduces the total number of active components and control circuits, thereby reducing system power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-layer stacked co-aperture method or cross-arranged co-aperture method is used to increase bandwidth, then bandwidth is increased, but costs increase sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single reflectarray element that handles multiple frequency bands, reducing the total number of switching devices and control system components required. This eliminates the need for expensive multi-layer stacked or cross-arranged co-aperture structures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining wide bandwidth capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If reconfigurable array antenna is used for satellite communication, then cost and energy consumption are reduced, but frequency band coverage is limited to single band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using switching devices to dynamically modify the electrical properties of the metal patch, enabling the same low-cost, low-power antenna structure to operate across X, Ku, and Ka frequency bands. This allows a simple reconfigurable design to achieve multi-band coverage without requiring complex multi-layer or cross-arranged structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reconfigurable reflectarray element achieves universality by covering multiple satellite communication frequency bands (X, Ku, Ka) with one antenna structure, eliminating the need for separate single-band antennas. This maintains the cost and energy advantages of simple reconfigurable designs while expanding frequency band coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antenna achieves dynamic beam adjustment and control over a wide frequency range with a simple structure, low power consumption, and reduced costs, supporting seamless satellite communication across X to Ka bands.
Implementation Method 1
each of the M×N ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray antenna elements includes an ultra-wideband polarization-converting metal patch
Implementation Method 2
based on polarization conversion and multimode resonance
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of resonant modes operate at different frequency bands to implement ultra-wideband phase reconfigurability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray antenna. The ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray antenna includes: a feed antenna and an ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray surface. The feed antenna is disposed at a predetermined position of the ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray surface and configured to provide electromagnetic waves to the ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray surface. The ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray surface includes M×N ultra-wideband reconfigurable reflectarray antenna elements arranged periodically and equidistantly, and is configured to perform ultra-wideband phase modulation on the electromagnetic waves, where each of M and N is a positive integer greater than 2.