Multiband tunable impedance surface

Abstract

A tunable impedance surface capable of steering a multiband radio frequency beam in two different, independently band-wise controllable directions. The tunable surface has a ground plane and a plurality of first conductive elements disposed in a first array a first distance therefrom, the first distance being less than a wavelength of a lower frequency band of the multiband radio frequency beam. A first capacitor arrangement controllably varies capacitance between selected ones of the first conductive elements. A plurality of second conductive elements are disposed in a second array a second distance from the plurality of first conductive elements, the second distance being less than a wavelength of a higher frequency band of the multiband radio frequency beam, the plurality of first conductive elements serving as a ground plane for the plurality of second conductive elements. A second capacitor arrangement controllably varies capacitance between selected ones of the second conductive elements.