Transmitarray Antennas
Fixed, switched-beam and electronically reconfigurable high-gain transmitarray antennas
for wireless systems
Transmitarray antennas implement cutting-edge technology and typically include a focal source that illuminates a planar or conformable array of unit cells. P-i-n diodes, RF-MEMS switches or varactors can be integrated with the unit cells in order to electronically control the array phase distribution and thereby provide real-time reconfiguration for the antenna beam.
Fundamental features of a transmitarray antenna:
- Easy to integrate and interface
- Based on standard printed circuit board technology (PCB)
- Planar form factor
- High-gain
- Wideband
- Easy to customize
- Robust design
- Low consumption for reconfigurable beams
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What's new?
- Transmitarray antennas represent an excellent solution to develop next generation smart and high-performance telecommunication and radar systems.
- Transmitarrays are high-gain antenna systems manufactured with multi-layer printed circuit technology. They ensure cost-effective, robust, reliable and ultra-competitive solutions for high-volume applications in the 10–300 GHz frequency range.
- The spatial feeding technique of transmitarrays makes them extremely attractive when compared to traditional phased arrays, which suffer from major insertion loss for their beamforming network. Transmitarrays also possess a unique advantage over reflector antennas and reflect arrays: they can be integrated into various platforms (buildings, vehicles, aircrafts, UAVs, high-speed trains, public transportation systems, etc.), because they do not suffer from the effects of feed blockage. As a result, they enable the development of planar systems and are also suitable for high-power applications.
| What to expect in the future?
We are currently developing transmitarray antennas with multi-source, surface curved lens to ensure better control of radiation patterns. New technological solutions are also being pursued for unit cell tunability and hybrid beam-forming. Developments are being made at higher frequencies to exploit wider bandwidths and improve technological integration capabilities for multi-gigabit wireless systems. CEA-Leti is working in close collaboration with industrial companies to design reconfigurable beam-steering transmitarrays at the millimeter wave level for mobile connectivity
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