Multiple-polarization microstrip reflectarray antenna with high efficiency and low cross-polarization

This paper presents the study and prototype demonstration of the concepts of antenna focusing, cross-polarization reduction, and multiple-polarization capability of a planar microstrip reflectarray antenna. A square patch with two equal microstrip delay lines connected to its two orthogonal feeding points is used as the antenna element of the planar reflectarray. The length of the delay lines, which varies from patch to patch, is schematically designed to focus the plane wave to the feed point. The measured overall efficiency of the prototype antenna is above 50% in the normal operating band, and in some frequency ranges the efficiency has reached 70%. The experimental patterns show that the measured cross polarization due to special arrangement of the delay lines is quite low at the direction of the main beam. X-polarization and Y-polarization measured data show that the antenna is suitable for multiple-polarization applications (dual linear and dual circular). Surprisingly, the antenna has achieved approximately greater than 7% of gain bandwidth (-3 dB gain drop). These results demonstrate the feasibility of such an antenna for radar and communication system applications