A novel broadband reflectarray for 5G satellite communications

Abstract

The design, fabrication, and experimental validation of wideband reflectarray with concentric coupled half-square rings operating at 26.5 GHz for 5G communication is presented in this paper. The proposed unit cell has a simple square patch enclosed within the coupled half-square rings. The varying delay line length attached to the outer ring provides a phase variation of 420 . A center-fed reflectarray antenna constructed with circular geometry (12.6 diameters) using 413 elements offers a measured gain of 27.1 dBi and 51.25% of aperture efficiency at its center frequency. The measured 3-and 1-dB gain bandwidth of 45% and 28.6% along with a side lobe level (SLL) of À17.6 dB are achieved. The measured cross-polarization level is less than À28 dB. Thus, the proposed wideband reflectarray has evolved into a provocative candidate for applications like base station antennas in earth exploration satellites, mobile base station satellites, and radio astronomy satellites.