Florida International University

Abdul-Sattar Kaddour

Stavros Georgakopoulos

Constantinos L Zekios

Antenna arrays with three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiating elements are provided, as well as methods of manufacturing and methods of using the same. An array can include a ground plane and a plurality of unit cells disposed thereon. Each unit cell can include a 3D conformal radiating element. The 3D conformal radiating elements can be, for example, patches (e.g., circular 3D patches), dipoles, or loops, and each radiating element is conformal on a hemispherical shape.

Arrays with three-dimensional conformal radiating elements

Antenna arrays with three-dimensional (3D) radiating elements are provided, as well as methods of manufacturing and methods of using the same. An array can include a ground plane and a plurality of radiating elements disposed thereon, and at least a portion of the radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements can be 3D radiating elements. The array can optionally include a substrate disposed on the ground plane and having holes for the radiating elements. The 3D radiating elements can include, for example, conical elements such as a hollow conical element, a full conical element, a hollow and discretized conical element, or a combination thereof.

Antenna arrays with three-dimensional radiating elements

Arrays that are deployable and can change their electromagnetic behavior by changing their shape are provided. The arrays can steer the beam using folding techniques and/or can achieve multiple operation states by folding the structure. An array can include a foldable substrate with antenna elements disposed thereon. In a folded state, a first plurality of unit cells is visible from above the array and can be configured to steer in a particular first direction and/or operate at a particular first frequency. In the unfolded state a second plurality of unit cells, and also possibly the first plurality of unit cells, are visible from above the array and can be configured to steer in a particular second direction and/or operate at a particular second frequency.

Reconfigurable arrays with multiple unit cells

A rotatable reflectarray antenna system and methods for reconfiguring electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of the reflectarray antenna are provided. The rotatable reflectarray antenna includes a plurality of rotatable reflecting units coupled with each other; and an actuator system coupled with the plurality of rotatable reflecting units and configured to rotate the reflecting units with respect to axes of the reflecting units. Each rotatable reflecting unit includes a substrate and a plurality of reflectarray patterns disposed on surfaces of the substrate and each reflectarray pattern includes a plurality of reflectarray elements. The actuator system is configured to rotate the plurality of reflecting units to different operational positions such that when layout of the plurality of reflectarray patterns on the plurality of reflecting unit is changed, at least one EM characteristic of the reflectarray antenna is reconfigured.

Reconfigurable rotational reflectarrays

Arrays that are deployable and can change their electromagnetic behavior by changing their shape are provided. An array can include a central panel and at least one foldable panel attached thereto. The central panel can include radiating elements on its upper surface while each foldable panel can have radiating elements on its bottom surface. The array is reconfigurable by each foldable panel being foldable onto the central panel such that its bottom surface then faces upward and covers part or all of the upper surface of the central panel.

Reconfigurable arrays with foldable panels

A scrollable reflectarray antenna system and methods for reconfiguring electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of the reflectarray antenna are provided. The reconfigurable reflectarray antenna includes a flexible substrate; a plurality of reflectarray patterns disposed on a surface of the flexible substrate, each reflectarray pattern comprising a plurality of reflectarray elements; and an actuator system coupled with the flexible substrate. The actuator system is configured to scroll the flexible substrate to different operational positions such that when layout of the plurality of reflectarray patterns is changed, at least one EM characteristic of the reflectarray antenna is reconfigured. In a predetermined operational position, an aperture of the reflectarray is formed by two reflectarray patterns that are optimized to direct an illuminating beam in a new direction.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Abdul-Sattar Kaddour