1 Bit Electronically Reconfigurable Folded Reflectarray Antenna Based on p-i-n Diodes for Wide-Angle Beam-Scanning Applications

In this communication, an electronically reconfigurable folded reflectarray antenna (ERFRA), which includes $14 \times 14$ reflecting elements and features a fully planar compact configuration and wide-angle beam-scanning performance, was developed, fabricated, and tested. A novel reflecting element that is able to carry out cross-polarization rotation and electronically reconfigurable 1 bit compensation phases was first developed. After experimentally demonstrating its feasibility, the new reflecting element was then applied to the design of a $14 \times 14$ ERFRA, with a planar feed in the center of the reflectarray and a beam-control system based on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The measurements of the fabricated ERFRA prototype show a wide beam-scanning range, up to ±60°, a peak gain of 17.07 dBi, and an aperture efficiency of about 13.2%.