An amplifying reconfigurable reflectarray element

Reflectarray antennas are strong candidates for addressing some of the challenges faced in space communication systems, RADAR and point-to-point terrestrial links. The long distances involved demand the use of high gain antennas and furthermore these applications can benefit from adaptable radiation patterns. The large size of reflectarray antennas ensures their capability to synthesize highly directive beams. To add beam reconngurability to reflectarray antennas, the phase shifting techniques utilized in phased array antennas can be applied, since a reflectarray can be considered as an array of reflecting elements. Electronically-controlled reflectarray elements utilize different technologies such as varactor diodes, MEMS switches and liquid crystal materials to dynamically change the phase of the scattered wave from each element.