Dual-circularly polarized reflectarrays as standardized antenna solutions for CubeSats

Abstract

In this contribution, the design of wideband reflectarray antennas with dual linear polarization (LP) to dual circular polarization (CP) conversion is evaluated within complete operational frequency bands for space communications. The resulting antennas are proposed as standardized antenna solutions for small satellites based on the CubeSat standard, where the reflectarrays would operate in CP at the frequencies imposed by the LP radiating primary source, typically with a narrow band, while ensuring an axial ratio (AR) lower than 3 dB. Two reflectarrays have been designed: one to operate in X band, from 8 to 12 GHz, and the other to operate in Ka band, from 28 to 40 GHz. The manufacturing of broadband LP-to-CP reflectarrays could be carried out in a production line, reducing the costs and complexity of ad-hoc reflectarrays, while also simplifying the design of the LP feeds.