2-Dimensional (2D) Beam Steering-Antenna Using Active PRS for 5G Applications

Abstract

This paper presents a compact coaxial-fed square microstrip patch antenna integrated with a beam-steering Partially Reflective Surface (PRS). The proposed design has a two-dimensional (2-D) Fabry-Perot Cavity (FPC) antenna acting as a radiator and the PRS as a beam-steering superstrate operating at 5.5 GHz. The PRS consists of 6 × 6 reconfigurable unit cells etched on Rogers 5880 with a thickness of 1.57 mm. By controlling the switching of PIN diodes in different sections of PRS, beam steering can be achieved up to ±47° in the azimuth plane with a gain of 9.1 dB and 10.2 dB and ± 15° steering in an elevation plane with a measured gain of 9.3 dB and 8.9 dB, respectively. The antenna prototype is 2.56 λ × 2.56 λ at 5.5 GHz, and the measured gain values are around 10 dBi for all the states. The beam is able to radiate at boresight or tilted to 42° in two azimuthal directions and 45° in elevation direction by adjusting the PIN diodes ON/OFF states. The 10 dB impedance bandwidth of 5.4–5.52 GHz is achieved.

Modeling 0.3 THz Coaxial Single-Mode Phase Shifter Designs in Liquid Crystals with Constitutive Loss Quantifications

“…In such beam-steering antenna arrays, precise control of phase modulation for each radiating element becomes paramount, wherein phase shifters [20] are key components in the electronically steered array without bulky mechanical rotations. Traditional phase shifters typically rely on semiconductor-based switches [21] operating in discrete states (i.e., digital), limiting the resolution of phase variation and consequently compromising the spatial resolution of the steered beam. Continuous (analog) beam steering [22], however, has become feasible due to advancements in nematic liquid crystal (LC) microwave technology [23].…”

Enhancement of Phase Dynamic Range in Design of Reconfigurable Metasurface Reflect Array Antenna Using Two Types of Unit Cells for E Band Communication

“…Reconfigurable MS reflect array antennas feature tuning elements capable of electrically shifting the reflected phase of each unit cell, facilitating fast and real-time tuning. The integration of tunable elements into MS unit cells enables a wide range of applications, including tuning beam-steering reflectors [11], reflective surfaces functioning as parabolic mirrors with adjustable focus [5,12], and more [13][14][15][16]. The ability to tune and reconfigure the reflected phase distribution throughout the MS reflector allows for beam steering (refer to Figure 1 and Equation ( 3)).…”