Frequency‐Multiplexed Programmable Guided‐Wave‐Driven Metasurface for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication

Abstract

The advancement of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication technology has necessitated the emergence of antenna systems with exceedingly stringent technical requirements, including beam scanning, dual‐band orthogonal polarization, low‐profile, low‐cost, and lightweight. Programmable guided‐wave‐driven metasurfaces demonstrate dynamic and advanced control of electromagnetic (EM) waves without external spatial feeding, complex power divider and accompanying phase shifter networks, making it a good candidate for LEO satellite communication. Herein, a frequency‐multiplexed guided‐wave‐driven metasurface for independent and dynamic control of dual‐band EM waves is proposed to achieve uplink and downlink in LEO satellite communication. Through vias are utilized to connect the meta‐atoms and the bottom layer of the substrate integrated waveguide, realizing a guided‐wave‐driven metasurface in which a complicated feeding network of radiation‐type metasurface can be avoided. By modulating the states of the four p–i–n diodes integrated within each meta‐atom, dynamic and independent 1‐bit phase switching across two distinct, tailored frequency bands is achieved. To validate this concept, the designed metasurface is fabricated and characterized, which exhibits excellent beam‐scanning performance at the two operating bands: 10.4 GHz for downlink and 12.5 GHz for uplink. The proposed low‐profile, dual‐band, and programmable metasurface shows great application potential in further satellitecommunication.