Description
Dynamic reconfiguration of microwave and millimetre‐wave (MMW) antenna devices is becoming a prime need in space‐related applications, among others for updating in real time antenna, as needed both in ground terminals and spacecraft antennas. In this context, we propose the implementation of mechanically reconfigurable MMW devices using Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs), which possess appealing properties for antenna reconfiguration: low cost materials and fabrication, analogue control, low power consumption and large strain outputs.
Within the scope of DEA-based reconfiguration, we have successfully demonstrated the application of planar DEAs for the realization of a tunable Ka-band phase shifter providing analog-controlled true-time-delay. The experimental characterization of the fabricated prototype demonstrated state-of-the-art phase shift to loss performance, achieving 235°/dB at 35 GHz. A similar reconfiguration approach has been applied for the implementation of a beam-scanning reflectarray (RA) operating at Ka-band. The proposed device is based on rectangular resonant patches whose length can be adaptively modified using the in-plane expansion provided by DEAs. This principle was validated implementing a uniform reflective surface, which was characterized using free-space monostatic measurements highlighting a very good agreement with simulated data. The design of a 1-D beam-scanning RA based on the same actuation principle has been also proposed and preliminary performance have been evaluated.
