reliminary Assessment of a Reflectarray Antenna for High-Resolution Radiometers on board Satellites

A reflectarray antenna has been proposed for the next generation of high-resolution radiometers on board satellites monitoring climate change. The reflectarray operates at 36, 50 and 54 GHz for fine-grain water content determination in coastal and fluvial areas. A reflectarray cell based on two orthogonal sets of dipoles has been presented to independently operate at 36 GHz and from 50 to 54 GHz. Preliminary simulations of a 0.6 m reflectarray made up of 28 649 cells have shown that the design could be carried out at 36 and 52 GHz, providing a 3dB beamwidth below 1° at 36, 50 and 54 GHz. The use of flat reflectarray antennas for high-resolution on-board antenna systems for radiometry will reduce both the complexity of the feeders and the volume of the antenna system.