Ultrawideband Conformal Transmitarray Employing Connected Slot-Bowtie Elements

In contrast to using multilayer frequency selective surface (FSS) elements or tightly coupled elements, a novel technique is introduced here to achieve ultrawideband planar and conformal transmitarrays, which are based on connected elements like those used in connected arrays. In particular, the elements consist of a horizontally connected slot-bowtie and vertical meander slot-lines. The elements are capable of achieving a 360 degrees phase variation range at the highest frequency 17 GHz with the transmission loss less than 3 dB from 6 to 17 GHz. The transmitarrays have been designed, fabricated, and measured in both planar and conformal versions. Stable boresight radiation patterns from 6 to 17 GHz have been obtained for both antennas. Compared to conformal transmitarrays using multilayer FSS elements, the proposed solution has a much wider bandwidth of radiation patterns. Good agreement has been found between simulation and measurement.

Automated summary

A novel technique is introduced in this study to achieve ultrawideband planar and conformal transmitarrays, based on connected elements, which can achieve a 360 degrees phase variation range and have transmission loss less than 3 dB from 6 to 17 GHz. The proposed solution has a much wider bandwidth of radiation patterns compared to conformal transmitarrays using multilayer FSS elements, with good agreement between simulation and measurement.