RCS reduction of reflectarray using new variable size FSS method

Abstract

This study focuses on the reduction of the Radar Cross Section (RCS) for planar reflectarray antenna by using Frequency Selective Surface layers. For this study, a novel broadband reflectarray antenna is designed. The designed reflectarray antenna is composed of a broken circular ring and a cogwheel geometry. With variable size geometry, the proposed unit cell has more than 400 degrees phase range which provides a broader bandwidth of the antenna. The RCS reduction of the reflectarray antenna is provided using variable size elements of the FSS technique and modification of reflectarray antenna ground plane. Therefore, the backscattering RCS of FSS backed modified reflectarray antenna is reduced up to 10 dB in the whole frequency band. This RCS reduction cost a reduction in terms of antenna gain level. The scattering characteristics, radiation patterns and RCS of both metallic grounded and FSS backed antennas are simulated and experimentally verified. (C) 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.