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 it can do
- 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.
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| What makes it unique
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’s next? 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.