Multilayer Minkowski Reflectarray Antenna with Improved Phase Performance

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-layer Minkowski fractal reflectarray antenna with enhanced phase range and reduced unit cell size, demonstrating improved performance through simulations and measurements at 10 GHz.

Contribution

A novel multi-layer Minkowski fractal unit cell design enabling broader phase control and smaller element size for reflectarray antennas.

Findings

Achieved 21.9% reduction in patch surface area.

Demonstrated broad phase range with low reflection loss.

Simulation results closely match measured data at 10 GHz.

Abstract

We propose a multi-layer unit cell consisting of Minkowski fractal shaped reflector with aperture coupled phasing stubs to obtain a broad phase range for the reflectarray antenna with smaller unit cell size and inter-element spacing compared to some other studies in the literature. In the study, simulations are conducted using HFSS(TM) program with Floquet Port incidence. A unit cell with two cycles of phase range and very low reflection loss is designed. 21.9% shrinkage is achieved in patch surface area using Minkowski fractals. Subsequently, proposed unit cell is used to design and fabricate a full scale 221 element reflectarray antenna. At 10 GHz, simulation results are compared with measured data and good agreement is observed.