Uneven dielectric reflect-array antennas

A simple reflect-array antenna structure is proposed. This structure utilizes an uneven dielectric layer as a reflecting surface with variable thickness. Stepping the surface of substrate provides the required phase shift at each point on the reflect-array surface to produce a reflected beam in a specific direction. Absence of resonator elements in this structure will reduce the dielectric and conductor losses, which are the main losses in reflect-array antennas at resonance frequency. The reflection properties of the substrate versus thickness are calculated by using the method of Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD), in which an infinite periodic model was employed to obtain the reflected phase curves. Some proposed antennas are designed at millimeter wave frequency and simulated by full-wave analyzer; CST Microwave Studio software.