A shaped-beam microstrip patch reflectarray

This paper describes a microstrip reflectarray antenna designed to produce a shaped-beam coverage pattern using phase synthesis. The concept is demons trated with a Ku-band linearly polarized reflectarray designed to provide c overage of the European continent and measured results are compared to thos e obtained for a previously designed shaped-reflector antenna designed for the same coverage specifications. Results validate the shaped-beam reflecta rray concept, although there are disadvantages to the reflectarray such as narrow bandwidth and reduced aperture efficiency that may offset the mechan ical and cost advantages of the flat surface of the reflectarray.