W.Moulessehoul et.

al / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET)

ISSN 2349-3755; Available at https://www.ijmset.com

Volume 1, Issue 5, 2014, pp.120-124

Phase range improvement of unit cell of reflectarray antenna

S.M.Meriah2

W.Moulessehoul1

Faculty of Technology
University Abu-Bakr Belk aid Tlemcen
meriah_m@yahoo.com

Faculty of Technology
University Abu-Bakr Belk aid Tlemcen
mwas385@hotmail.com

Abstract
This paper describe the new design of unit cell of reflectarray antenna with square patch radiating element, the
determination of the phase range of the unit cell is given by introducing slots in the radiating element, and by
adjusted the dimensions and the way of this slot. The result of analysis of phase reflection is generated from the
Computer CST Microwave Studio and by the method of Floquet.

Keywords: Unit cell design, Phase range,Method of Floquet, slot.

1.

INTRODUCTION:

The Reflectarray antenna is an antenna, similar to the parabolic antenna developed using
microstrip technology, this new configuration of antenna array allows the design of printed antennas
without power system with a high gain and low cost. When the incident signals illuminating from a
feed antenna to the array elements and scatter the incident field with the proper phase required
forming a planar phase [1]. The reflectarray antenna is finding applications in satellite
communications, contoured beam space antennas, and radars applications [2].
Reflectarray was first introduced by Berry et al. [3]. In their work, the array elements were
waveguides of variable length. This antenna has large structure and the development was by
introduction of microstrip technology, and was conceived in 1987 by Munson et al[4].
There are a few kinds of phase compensation methods available for the fixed-beam reflectarray such
as using open-circuited stubs [5], variable patch size [6], slot-loaded ground plane [7], slot-loaded
patch [8] and the usage of electronic components [9].
In this article, we introduce a slot in the patch element and analyse the phase response, this
range of phase is improved by changing the way of the slot in the patch.
2. Unit cell analysis :
The numerical analysis of the unit cell studied is performed using the CST Microwave
Studio, based on the method of finite integration technique, and using the approach of Floquet. This
approach is called infinite periodic approach; it's used to approximate the mutual coupling between
cells [10]. It considers that each cell is taken from an infinite periodic network. Each cell is studied
separately and boundary conditions are applied around the cell to get the behavior of the latter when it
is surrounded by a uniform and infinite environment, and the excitation of cell is due by a plane wave
(see Figure 1), the operating frequency was chosen to be at 12 GHz.

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W.Moulessehoul et.al / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET)

ISSN 2349-3755; Available at https://www.ijmset.com

Volume 1, Issue 5, 2014, pp.120-124

Ground Plane

Patch

Floquet port

Substrate
Floquet walls

Figure 1: Simulation of unit cell with Floquet approach

The geometry of unit cell is shown in figure 2, it's square patch, printed on a substrate of r= 2.33,
tg=0.005, h=1.54mm, with a square lattice of 10mm*10mm, and backed by a ground plane.
m

y
x

m=6.6mm, a=10mm
Figure 2: unit cell geometry

The operating frequency of the square patch is at 12GHz (see figure3), and the losses is at -0.28dB,
.

Figure 3: Return loss of patch element

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a: Slot added in the x direction

In this design two rectangular slots have been embedded on the surface of the patch element designed
in the band frequency of [8-15]GHz. These slots are in x direction and placed in the extremity of the
square patch as shown in figure 4.
The range of reflection phase is obtained (figure5) by changing the length of these slot, we obtained a
phase reflection between 50 to -172 for a variation of slot (dx) of 0 to 6mm.

dx

dx varied between 0 (square patch) to 6mm

Figure 4 : variation of length slot in square patch

Figure 5 : Reflection phase of patch with slots added in x direction

b: Extended of slots into the patch:
In this section , we add a new slot in y direction to the first slot, after we add another slot in the
opposite of x direction (see figure 6). An extended in the length of the slot can provide an
improvement in phase range of reflected phase (see figure 8). Figure 7 shows current distribution of
the patches with different length of slot, over the length of the slot in the patch increases, the phase
range increases .
dx1
dy

Figure6: Geometry of different added slots

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W.Moulessehoul et.al / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET)

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Volume 1, Issue 5, 2014, pp.120-124

Figure 7: Surface current distribution into the patch

Figure 8: Reflection phase of patch with slots extended

4. CONCLUSION:
In this paper, a new design of reflectarray antenna was analysis. The added of slot in square patch can
provide a variation in phase range, but the controled in the way and the length in the slot improves the
range of the reflected phase.
5. REFERENCES:
[1] M. Y. Ismail, M. F. M. Shukri, Z. Zakaria, A. F. M. Zain, M. F. L. Abdullah, and M. A. Ubin '' Investigation
of Static Phasing Distribution Characteristics of Passive Reflectarray Antenna Elements'' PIERS Proceedings,
Moscow, Russia, August 18-21, 2009,
[2] Huang, J. and J. A. Encinar, Reflectarray Antennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, John
Wiley & Sons, 2008.
[3] Berry, D. G., R. G. Malech, and W. A. Kennedy, The reflectarray antenna, IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag.,
1963.
[4] Munson, R. E., H. Haddad, and J. Hanlen, Microstrip reflectarray antenna for satellite communication and
RCS enhancement or reduction," US Patent 4684952, Aug. 1987.
[5] Targonski, S. D. and D. M. Pozar, Analysis and design of a microstrip reectarray using patches of variable
size," IEEE Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 3, 1820{1823,1994.
[6] Pozar, D. M. and T. A. Metzler, \Analysis of a reflectarray antenna using microstrip patches of variable
size," Electronic letters, 657{658, April 1993.
[7] Chacharmir, M. R., J. Shaker, M. Cuhaci, and A. Sebak, Reflectarray with variable slots on ground plane,"
IEEE Proc.Microwave, Antennas and Propagat., Vol. 150, No. 6, 436{439,
December 2003. Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 24, 2010 331
[8] Cadoret, D., A. Laisne, R. Gillard, L. Le Coq, and H. Legay, A new reflectarray cell using microstrip
patches loaded with slots,"Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 41, No. 11, 623-624, May 2005.
[9] Tahir, F. A., H. Aubert, and E. Girard, Equivalent electrical circuit for designing MEMS-controlled
reflectarray phase shifters," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 100, 1-12, 2010.
[10] J. Montgomery, "Scattering by an infinite periodic array of microstrip elements," IEEE Transactions on
Antennas and Propagation, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 850854, Novembre 1978.

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W.Moulessehoul et.al / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET)

ISSN 2349-3755; Available at https://www.ijmset.com

Volume 1, Issue 5, 2014, pp.120-124
AUTHORS BIOGRAPHY
Wassila MOULESSEHOUL: was born in Tlemcen (Algeria) in 1985. In 2007 she received the diploma of
state engineer in Telecommunications. In 2010 she obtained a magister in telecommunication and space
informatics. She is a researcher in laboratory of telecommunication, and her research include the reflect array
and reconfigurable antenna.
Sidi Mohammed MERIAH: was born in Tlemcen (Algeria) in 1970. He received the diploma of state engineer
in Electronics (1992) from National Polytechnic College, Magister degree in Electronics (1997) and doctorate
degree from Tlemcen University (2005). He is a Senior Lecturer in Tlemcen University and he is the Director of
the Telecommunications Laboratory. His current research interest include numerical techniques in
electromagnetic radiation, analysis and design smart antenna and array antennas pattern synthesis.

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