Wide-Angle Scanning Digitally Reconfigurable Intelligent Array with Element Factor and Array Factor Co-Manipulation

This paper introduces an innovative low-cost, wide-angle beam-scanning digitally reconfigurable intelligent array that leverages the co-manipulation of both the element factor and array factor. Unlike conventional bit arrays and reconfigurable antennas, this approach digitally controls both factors to suppress side-lobe levels and enhance beam-scanning performance. First of all, this digital co-manipulation method is studied by theoretical analysis. Then, to tune the element factor and array factor, a new 2-bit radiator and a novel pattern reconfigurable element are presented, respectively. Specifically, the array factor is modulated using 2-bit phase coding, while multiple switchable element patterns (pattern coding) enable dynamic element factor control. Next, drawing inspiration from digital metasurfaces, we encode the phase and pattern states of each element as binary “0/1” sequences. By applying different “0/1” sequences, we can simultaneously manipulate the element and array factors, achieving wide-angle beam scanning with low side-lobe levels—all at a low cost. Finally, a four-element digitally reconfigurable array (digital array) is fabricated to validate the developed co-manipulation method. The proposed digital array realizes a -10 dB bandwidth of 2.30-2.50 GHz, and a peak gain of 11.0 dBi. Due to the 2-bit phase and three-state pattern digital modulation designs, the beam-scanning range is extended to ±60° with just four elements, making it both compact and cost-effective. These results highlight the proposed digital array’s potential for future intelligent wireless applications.