Modeling of Active Reconfigurable Reflectarray Elements

Krishna Kishor

The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Electromagnetics)

Abstract:

A reflectarray is an antenna consisting of an array of radiating elements located on a flat surface, which are illuminated by a feed antenna. It combines certain features of reflector antennas and antenna arrays and hence the name 'reflectarrays'. In passive fixed reflectarrays, the radiating elements are phased appropriately to create a focused beam in a given direction. Passive, phase-agile reflectarrays are attractive because of their ability to perform beam steering. Furthermore, if reconfigurable reflectarrays were integrated with active devices, then such reflectarray elements have a significant potential for realizing low-cost, high gain antennas as well as spatial power combiners. In this talk, I will present a network model that can aid in the design of active reconfigurable reflectarray elements. First, simulation results of a cross-polarized, passive, phase-agile reflectarray element will be considered to verify the model. Following that, I will discuss the integration of an active element into the model and present simulation results of an active reflectarray element obtained from the model. Initial experimental results of the element will also be presented.

Biography:

Krishna Kumar Kishor received his B.A.Sc. degree in Electrical  Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2007. He is an M.A.Sc. candidate in Prof. Sean Victor Hum's research group. Currently, he is working on the integration of active devices with reconfigurable reflectarrays.