Synthesis method and experimental research of ku-band antennas based on tensorial metasurfaces

Antennas based on metasurfaces with tensorial impedance is a relatively new type of antennas appeared in the last decade. They have a simple design, but a complex synthesis procedure. The synthesis procedure can be based on analysis of the properties of waves in periodic structures or on representing the antenna as a phase hologram. Due to the novelty of this type of antennas, researching of various synthesis methods, obtaining new experimental results and on their basis assessment of realistically achievable characteristics is of interest. The purpose of the work was an experimental research of antennas based on metasurfaces with tensorial surface impedance, synthesized according to the method proposed by the authors. To carry out the research, mathematical modeling, electrodynamic modeling, and nearfield measurements of antenna prototypes were used. As a result, it was experimentally confirmed that the proposed tensorial metasurface antennas synthesis method makes it possible to obtain antennas with a given radiation direction and polarization, which have an aperture efficiency of up to 50 %, a bandwidth of up to 8 %, and a cross-polarization level below minus 20 dB. The results of measurements are in a good agreement with the electrodynamic calculation and the parameters specified during the synthesis. The type of antennas described in the work and the given synthesis method, according to the authors, are promising for various applications, for example, in satellite and mobile communications.