Design and Optimization of Low Profile Mechanical Steerable Antenna for User Terminals

This paper presents the preliminary design of a passive quasi-periodic structure-based antenna for user terminal application, and it works in the Ka band, 19.0-20.9 GHz. Using QUPES software and a direct optimization approach, the antenna steers the beam by mechanically rotating two identical transmitarrays. The transmitarray unit cells employ phase rotation, enabling a wide phase range with low insertion losses. Direct optimization refines both the primary patch array and the transmitarrays, achieving the desired radiation pattern with reduced sidelobe levels. This method provides efficient beam steering with improved sidelobe performance and cross-polarization control.