Reconfigurable reflectarrays based on RF MEMS technology

Innovative and high-performance antenna systems are required by the increasing demand of bandwidth and service quality in modern communication systems, as well as in a number of industrial applications. At the same time, new technologies and devices are emerging to comply with such specifications. Thanks to their inherent low costs and high performance, RF-MEMS can potentially bring in completely new classes of tuneable devices and circuits for RF applications. This paper focuses on the possible use of RF-MEMS in beam scanning antennas and particularly in reconfigurable reflectarrays. After reviewing some of the basic principles of such systems, two projects recently carried out in the framework of the AMICOM Network of Excellence are described. Besides the general features of these antennas, currently under test, the innovative single wafer architecture and the relevant packaging issues are specifically addressed.