Integration design of high efficiency reflectarray and transmitarray for millimeter wave wireless communications

In this paper, the research progress of reflectarray and transmitarray for millimeter wave (mmW) wireless communications has been briefly reviewed. The newly released Q-band spectrum (40.5-50.2GHz) by Chinese government is assigned to support wireless communication business for both long- and short-range scenarios. To meet the requirement of high gain antenna for long-range case, reflectarray and transmitarray have been developed and exemplified in Q band. A new type of integration design of folded reflectarray and transmitarray antennas have been proposed, and planar feeds are adopted instead of conventional bulky feeds, e.g. horn antenna or open waveguide. The used planar feed give the possibility for integrating the entire reflectarray/transmitarray with active/RF circuits directly, and no additional transition is needed between the antenna and RF circuit, which will highly improve the performance of the system.