A Foldable and Reconfigurable Monolithic Reflectarray for Space Applications

Abstract

An origami-based foldable and reconfigurable Reflectarray Antenna (RA) with multiple apertures is proposed for CubeSat applications. The proposed configuration consists of a central RA embedded in folding panels using Lamina Emergent Torsional (LET) joints based on compliant mechanisms. Depending on the folding direction of these panels (forward or backward), a new RA aperture is formed. The proposed RA along with its folding panels and hinges is fabricated using only a single PCB. A prototype of such an RA with two foldable panels is fabricated and measured. This RA operates in the Ku-band at 16 GHz and provides two pencil beams pointing at ( theta = 30{circ } , varphi = 0{circ } ) and ( theta = -30{circ } , varphi = 0{circ } ), and a dual-beam pointing at ( theta = +27{circ } , varphi = 0{circ } ) and ( theta = -29{circ } , varphi = 0{circ } ). The proposed RA provides a gain of 25 dB and 19 dB in its single- and dual-beam operations, respectively. For CubeSat applications, the key advantages of this RA are its small stowed volume, reconfigurable EM performance, beamsteering capabilities, monolithic construction, low fabrication cost, and reduced complexity.