Unit-Cell Design Framework for Current-Based Synthesis of Metasurface Antennas

The design of complex metasurfaces (MTS) is usually done in two steps: a) design of the surface impedance profile; b) realization of unit-cells, often using a periodic approximation. In this communication we propose an innovative approach for the comprehensive design of the MTS down to the unit-cell design. It is based on the recently introduced current-only metasurface synthesis. In the present approach, the unit-cell is designed based only on the optimized equivalent current, without having recourse to surface impedance. While maximally effective in association with current-only approaches, it can also be used with approaches aiming at the design of the impedance profile, still avoiding the periodic approximation.