Analysis of Frequency-Diverse and Dispersion Effects in Dynamic Metasurface Antenna for Holographic Sensing and Imaging

TL;DR

This paper explores the frequency-diverse and dispersive properties of dynamic metasurface antennas at millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling flexible holographic sensing and imaging without complex hardware.

Contribution

It demonstrates the manipulation of dispersion and frequency diversity in DMAs through dynamic reconfigurability, advancing their application in holographic sensing and imaging.

Findings

Achieved flexible dispersion control in DMA structures.

Created distinct radiation patterns across frequency bands.

Provided insights into modeling dispersive effects for imaging applications.

Abstract

Dynamic metasurface antennas (DMAs) represent a novel approach to programmable and affordable electromagnetic wave manipulation for enhanced wireless communications, sensing, and imaging applications. Nevertheless, current DMA designs and models are usually quasi-narrowband, neglecting the versatile frequency-diverse manifestation and its utilization. This work demonstrates the frequency-diversity and dispersion operations of a representative DMA structure at the millimeter-wave band. We demonstrate flexible dispersion manipulation through dynamic holographic reconfigurability of the meta-atoms in a DMA. This effect can create distinct radiation patterns across the operating frequency band, achieving flexible frequency diversity with enhanced scanning range within a compact, reconfigurable platform. It eliminates the need for wideband systems or complex phase-shifting networks while offering an alternative to frequency-scanned static beams of traditional leaky-wave antennas. The results establish fundamental insights into modelling and utilization of dispersive effects of DMAs in next-generation near-field and far-field holographic sensing and computational holographic imaging applications.