Design and Characterization of a CPSS-based Unit-Cell for Circularly Polarized Reflectarray Applications

International audienceA CPSS-based unit-cell is proposed as a building block of future reconfigurable dual-CP reflectarrays illuminated by a dual CP primary feed. It is based on an enhanced version of the original Pierrot's cell with multiple wires bent in a crank-like shape. It provides a 2-bit phase resolution in reflection for the left hand circular polarization (LHCP) and is nearly transparent in right hand circular polarization (RHCP). The main design steps and measurement procedure of the optimized cell are described in detail. The simulated and measured characteristics are in good agreement. The experimental results demonstrate a 6.4% bandwidth for a phase resolution better than 1.9bits and an insertion loss of 0.5dB at resonance