A 2-bit Dual-Channel Reconfigurable Reflectarray With Beam-Scanning Capability

Fifth-generation (5G) communication systems require reconfigurable reflectarrays with multibit phase control and dual polarization regulation to facilitate flexible beam scanning and polarization matching between the transmitter and receiver. This article presents a 2-bit reconfigurable reflectarray with two orthogonal linear polarization (LP) channels that can operate independently. Each unit cell comprises two active layers combined with a metal ground layer and includes four p-i–n diodes. The bias lines are positioned on the backside of the active layers to eliminate the need for an additional feed layer or multilayer bonding. A reflectarray antenna consisting of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$16\times 16$ </tex-math></inline-formula> unit cells is designed, and simulations are performed to verify the design. Measurements demonstrate that the antenna possesses a wide beam-scanning range of ±60°. The proposed design offers flexible polarization radiation modes, and the operational frequency range falls within the n78 frequency band of 5G communication.