Multiband Metasurface for Reduced Antenna Footprint and Jamming Mitigation

ABSTRACT: Satellite antenna systems often use separate transmit/ receive (T/R) apertures to prevent co-site interference. This currently increases the satellite antenna payload and requires RF interference and compatibility (RFI/RFC) studies to prevent performance degradation. But an antenna design that appears RF invisible outside of its operating frequency band could be used to upgrade current satellite systems without the need for extensive RFI/RFC analysis. In pursuit of this vision, we propose to prototype and characterize a frequency
selective surface (FSS)-based metasurface antenna. In Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility of an electromagnetically transparent phased array antenna operating at 20 GHz (down-link), 44 GHz (up-link), and 66 GHz (satellite-to-satellite). For Phase II, we propose to design prototype metasurface antennas operating at 20, 44, and 66 GHz. Working with the Air Force, we will select one of the designs to fabricate and characterize. Our antenna concept is fabricated using a MEMS technique that is able to accurately reproduce features at the highest frequency/shortest wavelength, i.e., 66 GHz. BENEFIT: Our metasurface antenna concept was shown to be capable of operation in all three bands, beam steering, and adjusting coverage area. Most importantly, each antenna structure is RF invisible outside the communication links operating frequency band. Therefore, the antenna can be placed on the satellite with minimal consideration of RFI/RFC. The result is an antenna that provides an upgrade capability to the satellite while minimizing integration problems. All manufacturers of communications satellites are potential customers and form the initial addressable market for space-qualified FSS-MM apertures. We also think there may be a market for retrofitting terrestrial terminals to augment their supported frequencies.