Methodology and Implementation of Beam Steering Using C-Shaped Split Rings for Fabry-Perot Antennas

The design process of beam-steering partially reflective surface (PRS) made up of C-shaped split-ring resonators (CSRRs) is presented in this article. Through analyzing the transmission characteristics of CSRRs with variable opening angles and orientations, spatially abrupt phase and magnitude are introduced over PRS to reshape the wavefronts of linear polarization waves. Based on the designed two distributions and the two control methods, four arrangements of 5 x 5 CSRRs are fabricated to validate the design methodology of beam steering. Furthermore, two reconfigurable Fabry-Perot (FP) antennas are proposed based on liquid-metal and mechanically rotating reconfiguration. An agreement between simulated and measured results shows higher aperture efficiency and desirable radiation patterns while demonstrating excellent reconfiguration reliability. Besides, an eight-element phased array combined with liquid-metal PRS is fabricated and shows improved scanning performance and stable gain fluctuation.

Automated summary

This article presents the design process of a beam-steering partially reflective surface (PRS) made up of C-shaped split-ring resonators (CSRRs). By analyzing the transmission characteristics of CSRRs with variable opening angles and orientations, spatially abrupt phase and magnitude are introduced over the PRS to reshape the wavefronts of linear polarization waves. Four arrangements of 5 x 5 CSRRs are fabricated to validate the design methodology of beam steering based on the designed two distributions and the two control methods. Furthermore, two reconfigurable Fabry-Perot (FP) antennas are proposed based on liquid-metal and mechanically rotating reconfiguration, demonstrating higher aperture efficiency, desirable radiation patterns, and excellent reconfiguration reliability. Moreover, an eight-element phased array combined with a liquid-metal PRS is fabricated and shows improved scanning performance and stable gain fluctuation.