A novel 4-DOF wide-range tunable frequency selective surface using an origami “eggbox” structure

Abstract

Shape-changing mechanical metamaterials have drawn the attention of researchers toward the development of continuous-range tunable frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). In this paper, a novel tunable FSS utilizing an origami-inspired “eggbox” structure is presented featuring four-degrees of freedom that can change the frequency response of two orthogonal linear polarizations. The centrosymmetric “eggbox” structure can be folded or rotated along two axes that lead to unprecedented reconfigurability compared to traditional Miura-Ori-based structures which have fewer degrees of control. The utilized cross-shaped dipole FSS element shows enhanced bandwidth, support for orthogonal linear polarization, and ease of fabrication. The prototype is fabricated using a low-cost fully additive inkjet printing process with silver nanoparticle conductive ink. The outcome of this study shows a 25% frequency tunable range over two polarization directions. The design can be an ideal spatial filtering candidate for advanced ultra-wideband terrestrial and space applications.

Introduction

A frequency selective surface (FSS) is a periodic structure with arrays of elements arranged on a dielectric substrate to absorb, reflect, or transmit electromagnetic waves based on the frequency [1]. The frequency response of an FSS can be determined by the element shape, size, distribution, and the type of the dielectric substrate. FSSs have found great range of applications including spatial frequency filtering [2], electromagnetic shielding [3], absorbers [4], radomes [5], sensors [6], etc.

In recent years, a significant amount of research has been undertaken on reconfigurable FSSs to realize a variable frequency response. Various methodologies can be utilized to achieve on-demand tunability, with one common approach is by introducing active components such as p–i–n diodes [7], varactor diodes [8, 9], or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitors/switches [10] to tune the parameters of the FSS equivalent circuits. The active tuning approach can be responsive and accurate. However, those active components can be expensive, fragile, and require complex biasing circuits that dramatically increase the cost and fabrication difficulty, limiting the scalability of the reconfigurable FSS.

Another approach to realize reconfigurable FSSs is by tuning the geometry mechanically using foldable origami-based 3D structures. A great number of origami-inspired 3D FSSs have been studied in recent years [2, 4, 11–14], showing unprecedented capabilities for deployability and continuous-range on-demand tunability. Miura-Ori [15, 16] is one of the most commonly used element structures in origami-inspired 3D FSS designs. A Miura-Ori FSS (M-FSS) features tunable equivalent electrical length and inter-element coupling by compressing from one side or changing the angle of incidence (AoI). Although compressing an M-FSS enables precise positioning by maintaining constant interspacing of elements along that axis, but it also removes a degree of freedom in the tuning parameters of an FSS device. Thus, the tunable range can be limited and insufficient in advanced ultra-wideband terrestrial and outer-space applications.

In this paper, a novel tunable origami-inspired 3D FSS is presented using an “eggbox” structure. The “eggbox” FSS can be tuned by compressing from two directions, or rotating from two axes. The multiple tuning methods enable a wider frequency tuning range. The prototype was fabricated with inkjet printing technique that is scalable, low-cost, and fully additive. The measured sample shows wide-range frequency tunability, four-degrees of freedom (4-DOF) and two orthogonal linear polarizations. This paper is an extended version of [17]; the extended content includes: mathematical analysis of the “eggbox” model; 4-DOF tuning method by folding β and α, rotating x-axis and y-axis; extended folding angle measurement result to get more accurate fractional bandwidth.

Element design

Mechanical design

The “eggbox” is a non-developable structure which features additional degrees of freedom compared to widely used Miura-Ori structure [18–20]. The design of an eggbox element is shown in Fig. 1(b). The bi-directional symmetry nature of the eggbox enables the ability to compress the eggbox structure from two orthogonal directions, in this case, x-axis and y-axis. The size of the eggbox is defined by two lengths l ₁ and l ₂. The compressing angles along the y-axis and x-axis are defined by α and β. When the eggbox is not compressed, α and β will be equal, which can be calculated by using (1):

(1)$$\alpha = \beta = \theta_0 = 2\times \arccos \left(\sqrt{\left(1-{{l_{2}}^{2}\over 2{l_{1}}^2}\right)}\right)$$

Fig. 1. Eggbox element design: (a) 2D flat eggbox outline pattern; (b) 3D-folded eggbox structure; and (c) 3D-folded eggbox volumetric boundary box.

When the eggbox is compressed, the relation between the two folding angles α and β can be calculated by using (2) or (3):

(2)$$\alpha = 2\times \arccos \left(\left({1\over \cos ( {\beta }/{2}) }\right)\times \left(1-{{l_2}^2\over 2{l_1}^2}\right)\right)$$

(3)$$\beta = 2\times \arccos \left(\left({1\over \cos ( {\alpha }/{2}) }\right)\times \left(1-{{l_2}^2\over 2{l_1}^2}\right)\right)$$

The unfolded eggbox unit element is shown in Fig. 1(a), the sector angle φ _s can be calculated by using (4):

(4)$$\varphi _s = \arccos \left({2{l_1}^2-{l_2}^2\over 2{l_1}^2}\right)$$

The volumetric parameters of an eggbox unit element is shown in Fig. 1(c) where the overall dimensions w, l, and h can be calculated by using (5), (6), and (7), respectively:

(5)$$w = 2{l_1}\sin ( 0.5\beta) $$

(6)$$l = 2{l_1}\sin ( 0.5\alpha) $$

(7)$$h = {l_1}\cos( 0.5\alpha) + {l_1}\cos( 0.5\beta) $$

To ensure a good foldability and ease of fabrication, the eggbox configuration in this study is optimized to be l ₁ = 20 mm, l ₂ = 20 mm, α(unfolded) = 110°, β(unfolded) = 110°. The variation of different geometric parameters with different folding angles α is shown in Fig. 2 which presents the folding/compressing process of the eggbox structure.

Fig. 2. Variation of different geometric parameters with folding angles α from 0 to 120°.

RF design

For proof-of-concept verification, the substrate utilized in this study is 110 μm thick cellulose paper. The material is characterized resulting with a dielectric constant (ɛ _r) of 3.4 at 7.5 GHz with a loss tangent (tanδ) of 0.015.

To ensure a significant frequency tunability and take full advantage of the eggbox structure with added degrees of freedom, a cross-dipole-shaped conductive pattern is utilized. Cross-dipole FSS element has been well studied over the years showing enhanced bandwidth, dual linear polarizations, and ease of fabrication [1, 21–24]. The authors in [11] explore the possibility of integrating cross-dipole element onto Miura-Ori-based FSS, showing improved tunability and bandwidth.

The eggbox FSS element shown in Fig. 3 is designed and simulated in CST Studio Suite 2019 with unit cell boundary condition and Floquet port excitations with the frequency domain solver. The unit cell boundary condition simulates only one singular FSS element and extrapolates to an infinite sheet. The size and distribution of the cross-dipole element is optimized to ensure a great range of tunable frequencies and S ₂₁ performance. The center frequency is designed at 7.5 GHz with optimized cross-dipole dimensions of l _c = 15 mm and w _c = 3.5 mm. The simulated frequency response will be presented and discussed in Section “6 × 6 Eggbox FSS design” with the measurement results.

Fig. 3. Design of cross-dipole eggbox FSS element: (a) perspective view; (b) top view; and (c) equivalent circuit.

6 × 6 Eggbox FSS design

Mechanical simulation

As a proof-of-concept demonstrator, a 6 × 6 “eggbox” FSS with cross-shaped resonating elements is employed in this study. The center frequency is designed at 7.5 GHz. The length of the FSS can be compressed from 170 mm (α = β = θ ₀ = 110°) down to 37 mm (α = β = 22°). The AoI can be customized from 0 to 30°. The design takes advantage of the bidirectional symmetry nature of the eggbox structure, tuning both orthogonal polarizations.

When compressing along the x-axis (as shown in Fig. 4), the decreased equivalent inductance of the horizontally faced branches, increase the resonant frequency of the horizontally polarized waves. The increased equivalent capacitance of the vertically faced branches, decrease the resonant frequency of the vertically polarized waves. Compressing along the y-axis will in contrast decrease the horizontally polarized frequency and increase vertically polarized frequency.

Fig. 4. Demonstration of 4-DOF tuning methodology: fold along x-axis; fold along y-axis; rotate x-axis; and rotate y-axis.

When rotating the structure along the x-axis, the increased equivalent inductance of the horizontally faced branches, decrease the resonant frequency of the horizontally polarized waves. Rotating along the y-axis will in contrast decrease the vertically polarized frequency.

Fabrication

Unlike the Miura structure, the eggbox is a non-developable structure that cannot be folded out of a single planar paper sheet. Therefore, to realize the eggbox with a paper-based substrate, we will utilize cuts and folds of individual eggbox FSS elements which are then adhered together. In this case, the manual fabrication process is durable and accurate enough for this proof-of-concept demonstration. To further improve the fabrication process, the 4D hybrid printing process has been studied in recent years [4, 25]; 4D printing can be a faster and more accurate way to manufacture a scalable and durable eggbox FSS.

The print-fold-attach fabrication process shown in Fig. 5 is utilized to realize the eggbox FSS prototype, which consists of a 6 × 6 array of individual cells. First, a folding pattern for the individual eggbox cell was designed in 2D CAD software. The 2D drawing accounts for the conductive traces, the folds, and an additional polygon to glue the edges that enable linking of the elements together that can be easily printed with an office laserjet printer. Then, the cross-dipole pattern will be printed onto the flat eggbox outline with a Dimatix DMP-2831 inkjet printer utilizing Suntronic EMD5730 silver nanoparticle (SNP) ink (Sigma-Aldrich). Cellulose paper inherently tends to absorb the conductive ink, thus, 10 layers of SNP ink is printed to ensure an exceptional conductivity and flexibility. After printing, the substrate will be thermally cured at 140°C for 1 h to sinter the SNP ink. Finally, to realize the eggbox 6 × 6 matrix, each folded structure was attached together by glue. The entirety of the 6 × 6 matrix of elements is shown in Fig. 6, with an approximate length and width of 170 mm × 170 mm in its uncompressed state.

Fig. 5. Three-step fabrication process for eggbox FSS: perforate eggbox pattern; inkjet print conductive traces; and fold to 3D eggbox structure.

Fig. 6. Fabricated sample of 6 × 6 cross-dipole eggbox FSS and incidence angles: normal incidence (blue), rotate y-axis (green), and rotate x-axis (red).

Simulation and measurement results

In order to measure the fabricated prototype, two horn antennas (A-INFOMW LB-20245-SF) were placed equidistant with 1.5 m spacing, with the results measured on an Anritsu MS46522B VNA set to measure from 6 to 9 GHz. The 6 × 6 eggbox structure is placed equidistant between the horn antennas. The eggbox structure was compressed for different angles α and β, and the length and width of the eggbox after various compressions enables determination of the fold angles α and β, which are then compared to the simulated results.

The simulated and measured insertion loss of the eggbox FSS for horizontal polarization (along the x-axis) with different folding angles is shown in Fig. 7. From this figure, the resonant frequency of the metamaterial shifts higher as the folding angle β decreases. This is due to the reduced effective length of the horizontal branch of the cross element due to folding, which in turn causes a reduction of the inductance. On the other hand, the resonant frequency of the origami meta-material shifts lower as the folding angle α decreases. The result of this is due to the folding along the y-axis reducing the gap between the horizontal components of the metamaterial, leading to an increased capacitance that reduces the resonant frequency. The vertical polarization response is demonstrated in Fig. 8. In this scenario, as the folding angle of β decreases, the frequency reduces due to the increase of capacitance. If the folding angle α is reduced, the frequency of the resonant response increases due to a reduced inductance. Note that the amount of frequency shifting varies depending on the folding direction and polarization. For example, it can be seen that the folding angle β has an increased impact on the response of the system along the horizontal polarization. Similarly, along the folding angle α has a larger impact of the response in the vertical polarization along the y-axis. The measured resonance frequency versus folding angles (0.2θ ₀ to θ ₀) of horizontal polarization is shown in Fig. 9, the measured fractional bandwidth is $25\%$.

Fig. 7. Horizontal (x-axis) polarization with different folding angles simulation and measurement results.

Fig. 8. Vertical (y-axis) polarization with different folding angles simulation and measurement results.

Fig. 9. Resonance frequency versus folding angles of horizontal polarization (x-axis).

The simulated and measured insertion loss of the eggbox FSS for horizontal polarization (along the x-axis) with different y-axis rotating angles θ _y is shown in Fig. 10. The resonant frequency of the eggbox FSS decreases as the rotating angle θ _y increases. This is due to the expanded effective length of the vertical branch of the cross element due to folding, which in turn causes an increase of the inductance. On the other hand, in Fig. 11, the resonant frequency of the horizontal branch shifts lower as the rotating angle θ _x increases.

Fig. 10. Horizontal polarization (x-axis) with different y-axis rotating angles simulation and measurement results.

Fig. 11. Vertical polarization (y-axis) with different x-axis rotating angles simulation and measurement results.

There are some mismatches between the simulation and measurement results especially the amplitude of the insertion loss. This is because the simulation setup uses unit cell boundary condition in CST, which considers the FSS as infinitely large. The unfolded 6 × 6 eggbox FSS (170 mm × 170 mm) will cover the whole antenna aperture which can be considered as infinity large. However, when we compress or rotate the structure, the size of the eggbox FSS can reduce to 37 mm × 170 mm which cannot cover the entire illuminating antenna beamwidth anymore, causing leakage that reduces the insertion loss performance.

The measured performance of the eggbox FSS design presented in this paper is compared with state-of-the-art origami FSSs and the result is shown in Table 1. The proposed design demonstrates widest tunable range, dual linear polarizations, and 4-DOF tunability.

Table 1. Performance comparison of typical origami-inspired FSS

Conclusion

This paper demonstrated a novel tunable eggbox-based origami 3D FSS. The eggbox structure enables two foldable directions and two rotatable axes to tune the resonant frequency. The measured results show a wide range of frequency control of $25\%$ fractional bandwidth. The fabrication of individual cells without the use of active devices enables easy scalability by allowing many individual elements to be fabricated and then assembled in any desired configuration. By changing the type of substrate [26], or fabricate with 3D printing technology [4], the design can be applicable for remote sensing, RFID, 5G, and mm-wave applications.