Wide-angle scanning active transmit/receive reflectarray

Abstract

A highly integrated phased array transmit/receive architecture is presented. Multilayer microstrip antennas with a scanning potential up to 60° are combined, on a common manifold, with SiGe MMICs including four RF channels each, together with the necessary digital control circuits. Power distribution and combining are realised by the concept of a folded planar reflectarray. This study also includes the necessary solutions for multilayer interconnects and efficient heat removal from the active circuits. To prove the concept, passive arrays with different fixed beam positions have been tested successfully; followed by a first active array demonstrating excellent scanning performance up to 60° both in E- and H-plane.