Enabling spatial diversity and beamsteering with reduced RF-chains using reconfigurable transmitarrays

This manuscript introduces a new vision on the implementation of spatial diversity with beamsteering capability, by suppressing the typical beamforming networks of antenna phased arrays and replace them by Reconfigurable Transmitar-rays. Consequently, the radio frequency components, i.e. RF-chains that compose such systems, were replaced by a device with the capability to perform two-dimensional beamsteering relying on single antenna source, hence reducing the number of associated RF hardware in comparison with traditional phased array systems. By spatially distributing side-by-side more than one device, spatial diversity with beamsteering is enabled with an estimated reduction of 1:8 in the number of associated RF-chains. This new concept clearly demonstrates its merit by directly reducing the implementation costs„ RF-chain components and increasing the energy efficiency, specially in larger systems.