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Transmitarray Antennas

Published on 1 March 2023


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
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

Applications


• 5th& 6th generation networks (5G & 6G)

• Ultra-high-speed wireless communications

• mmWave small cells

• mmWave backhauling & fronthauling

• Fiber optic network replacement

• WiGig

• SATCOM earth stations and terminals

• Short and long range radars

• Automotive systems

• Security and surveillance

• Intelligent transport systems

Key facts

• 100+ papers in international journals and conferences

• Collaborations with industrial (Radiall, Thales) and institutional (Univ. Rennes I, CNES, and DGA) partners

• IEEE France Section Young Scientist Award at ANTEM (International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics) 2012

• Best Paper Award at JNM (Journées Nationales des Microondes) 2015

• Best Antenna Design and Applications Paper Award at EuCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) 2019

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