Performance analysis of reflectarray resonant elements based on dielectric anisotropic materials

Abstract

This paper presents a thorough investigation of the relationship between reflection loss and dynamic phase distribution performance of three different reflectarray resonant elements. The tunability characteristics of rectangular, dipole and ring elements printed on grounded non-linear dielectric anisotropic substrates have been investigated at X-band frequency range using CST computer model. A detailed analysis of reflection loss and dynamic phase range, with respect to dielectric anisotropy is presented for different anisotropic liquid crystal substrate materials. Preliminary analysis results show that ring element offers the highest reflection loss and dynamic phase range of 56.54 dB and 248° respectively compared to rectangular element which offers 10.74 dB and 90° respectively. Furthermore the rectangular element attains a maximum frequency tunability of 796 MHz compared to ring element which attains 716 MHz. Moreover it has also been shown that an increase in dielectric anisotropy of nonlinear materials affect dynamic phase ranges and frequency tunability of three resonant elements.