Design of a multibeam metasurface antenna for LEO satellite communications payload

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel method for synthesizing a multibeam metasurface antenna (MSA) for use in a space application - a payload component of a small satellite as part of a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication constellation. MSA is synthesized using the holographic technique with a divergent phase distribution. Using this method, a low-cost multi-beam Ku-band antenna with seven flattened beams is developed. The results of the numerical simulation and experimental study of the proposed seven-beam MSA were presented. The gain of each beam is about 25 dBi, the aperture efficiency of the MSA is ~40%. Each individual beam had a separate feed point and its own inclination angle (0°, ±3.5°, ±7°, ±10.5°). This paper shows that the presented MSA is not inferior in its characteristics to similar solutions, but is more compact and lighter, and also allows the formation of complex radiation patterns.

Complex‐Amplitude Programmable Versatile Metasurface Platform Driven by Guided Wave

“…By manipulating the amplitude. [ 43 , 54 ] phase [ 55 , 56 ] and impedance [ 52 , 57 ] of the meta‐atoms, guided wave‐driven metasurfaces have been demonstrated to achieve various functionalities, such as focusing, [ 25 , 58 ] beam shaping, [ 59 ] Airy beam [ 45 ] and vortex beam generation. [ 60 ] Dynamic complex‐amplitude modulation can achieve more advanced wavefront tailoring, such as high‐quality holograms and beamforming, [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ] while reported guided wave‐driven metasurfaces have been unable to achieve such performances so far.…”

Investigating Polarization-Sensitive Transmission and Reflection Metasurfaces for Advanced Wavefront Manipulation

“…In a transmit array, incident waves are transmitted to the other side and produce a forward beam, whereas, in a reflecting array, the energy is reflected and produces a backward beam. Considerable efforts have been made to extend their functionalities such as multiband operation [17], reconfigurability [18,19], and multibeam applications [20,21].…”