Holographic-Inspired Multibeam Reflectarray With Linear Polarization

In this paper, a novel systematic method based on the holographic theory to design a reflectarray (RA) antenna is presented. According to the holographic technique, one can record features of electromagnetic waves impinging on a specific surface and then, whenever needed, reconstruct each of them. We exploit this property to design a single-feed RA with a multibeam linearly polarized pattern without using any iterative method such as optimization algorithms in the design process. At first, various kinds of interferograms along with related input admittance distributions are introduced according to the polarization and number of radiated beams. Afterward, a simple subwavelength metallic patch as a scalar admittance unit cell is employed to implement the input admittance distribution of the interferograms. Moreover, a fast analytical method, which is fundamentally inspired by the method of moments, has been employed to calculate the input admittance of the utilized element. Finally, as a typical case, an 18 cm × 18 cm linearly polarized RA with a two-beam radiation pattern has been manufactured and tested at 15 GHz. The sidelobe level, cross-pol, and efficiency of the antenna are found -26 dB, lower than -10 dB, and 47.2%, respectively, which meet the expectations.