A shaped-beam microstrip patch reflectarray

This paper describes a microstrip reflectarray antenna designed to produce a shaped-beam coverage pattern using phase synthesis. The concept is demonstrated with a Ku-band linearly polarized reflectarray designed to provide coverage of the European continent and measured results are compared to those obtained for a previously designed shaped-reflector antenna designed for the same coverage specifications. Results validate the shaped-beam reflectarray concept, although there are disadvantages to the reflectarray such as narrow bandwidth and reduced aperture efficiency that may offset the mechanical and cost advantages of the flat surface of the reflectarray.