Design of a single-layer broadband reflectarray using circular microstrip patch loaded with two unequal slots

A linearly polarized single-layer single-resonator reflectarray, which is designed using a simple circular patch loaded with two unequal rectangular slots, is investigated for the first time. For the proposed design, the linearity and sensitivity of the phase curve (S-curve) can be easily optimized by adjusting the ratio of the two unequal slots changeable according to a simple design equation. Here, the patch radius serves as a phase-shifting geometrical parameter and it is able to achieve a wide phase range of more than 458 degrees with low phase sensitivity and a low reflection loss of less than 0.5 dB. With the use of the optimized phase curve, an offset-fed 13 x 13 full-fledged reflectarray with a square aperture is designed, fabricated and measured. Measurement results show that a -1-dB gain bandwidth of 11.8% and an antenna gain of 23.4 dBi are realizable at the center frequency of 9.3 GHz. Also, the proposed reflectarray has an aperture efficiency of 42% and a radiation efficiency of 98%. The proposed reflectarray has a simple structure and it is able to achieve smooth phase curve, low cross-polarized radiation field and low sidelobes. (C) 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.