Single-Layer High-Efficiency Reflectarray Antenna Utilizing Half-Cut Elements

This paper develops a high-efficiency single-layer reflectarray antenna (RA) using the half-cut elements. Based on the half-cut method, the periodic size of the original element has been reduced by about 42.9%. Therefore, the same aperture of the array can accommodate more half-cut elements when compared with the original elements. Finally, the ability to compensate for the phase is enhanced and the aperture efficiency is improved. The proposed RA with a square aperture of 84x84 mm
²
is designed, fabricated, and tested. The experimental results realize a maximum gain of 27.48 dBi at 31 GHz, corresponding to an aperture efficiency as high as 59.12%. Besides, the 1-dB gain drop bandwidth of 15.3% (29.6 GHz - 34.5 GHz) is realized.