Dual-polarized low-RCS metasurface antenna based on amplitude-phase modulation

<sec>To address the challenges of the complex design process and long optimization time for antenna radar cross section (RCS) reduction, this paper adopts the low-RCS antenna design concept of “first scattering then radiation” and implements dual-polarized RCS reduction of the antenna based on the hybrid mechanism. A dual-polarized low-scattering metasurface antenna is proposed, which overcomes the drawbacks of traditional low-RCS antenna design methods. Firstly, a dual-polarized low-RCS metasurface antenna is designed based on the amplitude and phase control characteristics of the metasurface, achieving independent control of the reflected beams for different polarized incident waves. Secondly, drawing on the radiation structure of traditional patch antennas, a local adjustment is made to the metasurface based on the low RCS metasurface. The antenna radiation is achieved through coaxial feed excitation. Finally, combined with the current distribution adjustment of the radiation structure, the antenna radiation performance is rapidly optimized.</sec><sec>Through simulation and experimental verification, the proposed antenna not only has good radiation performance but also can achieve the reduction of dual-polarized RCS reduction inside and outside the frequency band. Compared with the traditional low-RCS antenna design methods, the reverse design concept of “first scattering then radiation” adopted in this work and the new method of reducing the dual-polarized RCS reduction of the antenna based on a hybrid mechanism effectively resolve the contradiction between radiation and low scattering caused by the compact structure of the metasurface antenna, greatly simplifying the design process of the low-scattering metasurface antenna. The antenna adopts a single-layer dielectric design to achieve RCS reduction, and has the characteristics of simple structure, compactness, and low profile.</sec>