LAUSR

Abstract This paper presents the design and analysis of a wideband X/Ku and Ku band reflectarray antenna. The proposed unit cell of the reflectarray antenna comprises a patch loaded with two distinct slots, viz. a square ring and a cross loop, printed on a low loss substrate, which is backed by a foam-loaded ground plane. The unit cell element offers a linear and large dynamic reflection phase range, which is achieved by optimizing the shape, location, and geometrical parameters of the two slots loaded on the patch. A 324 element microstrip reflectarray antenna of size 200 × 200 mm2 is constructed and analyzed for its radiation characteristics by simulation and measurement. The reflectarray offers a 3 dB gain bandwidth of 50.75% with the operating frequency range of 10–16.8 GHz. It offers a peak gain and aperture efficiency of 25.4 dB and 40% at 12.6 GHz, respectively. The cross-polarization level is below −40 dB over the entire operating frequency range.