Performance Comparison of Different Phase-Gradient Metasurface Unit Cells for Wide Angle Beam Steering Applications

Designing a wideband metasurface unit cell that exhibits phase gradient characteristics for beam steering applications is a big challenge. This research investigates the beam steering performance of three individual single-layered unit cells: (i) modified square (MS), (ii) modified hexagonal (MH), (iii) concentrated square hexagonal (CSH), and their corresponding multi-layered counterparts. These unit cells pose wideband phase gradient characteristics (19-22%) along with high transmission magnitude (> 0.9). These phase gradient metasurface (PGMS) unit cells are then integrated with an antenna and 55°, 30° and 55° maximum beam steerability obtained for modified square, modified hexagonal and concentrated square hexagonal cell, respectively. These unit cells can be used in Satellite and mobile communication for beam steering applications.