A wideband tunable balanced phase shifter is achieved by utilizing varactor-loaded coupled lines (VLCLs)-embedded multistage branch-line structure. The tunable phase shift with low in-band phase deviation is attributed to the regulation in phase shift of the VLCLs and the horizontal microstrip lines in series. The wideband differential-mode (DM) impedance matching and common-mode (CM) suppression are due to multiple DM transmission poles and CM transmission zeros, which are brought about by the cascade of VLCLs and a microstrip line with short-circuited stubs in the DM-equivalent circuit and open-circuited stubs in the CM-equivalent circuit, respectively. Compared with the state-of-the-art tunable balanced phase shifters, the proposed design not only has the advantages of wide operating bandwidth (BW) with low in-band phase deviation but also has low insertion loss and easily fabricated structure. Theoretical analysis and design procedure were conducted, resulting in a prototype covering the frequency of 1.8 GHz. This prototype offers a tunable phase shift capability ranging from 0° to 90°. The prototype exhibits an operating BW of 45%, with a maximum phase deviation of ±6°. It also achieves a 10 dB DM return loss and CM suppression, while maintaining a maximum insertion loss of 2.5 dB.

Microstrip and stripline losses in Method of Moments (MOM) calculations have an error arising from the large current density at the strip edges, characterized by an integration limit (W/2-d) in the equation for current density in thin strips (width W), where d is a fitting parameter. It depends primarily on the width of the MOM subsection on the edge of the strip. By comparing with the integration limit (W/2-Δ) for an actual strip with finite thickness, a correction factor is estimated. The equations incorporating d are confirmed by comparing with MOM calculations of isolated stripline, uniformly spaced parallel strips, striplines and microstrips close to ground planes, and with a strip in a uniform, externally applied magnetic field. The results are also consistent with measurements with copper. This makes the accuracy of the loss estimates commensurate with the excellence of the other aspects of MOM simulations.

Phase retrieval algorithm is an effective method to reconstruct the surface distortions for reflector antennas. As the traditional Fourier iterative algorithms usually stagnate at local minima, we previously proposed a global phase retrieval algorithm, named CMAES-HIO, based on the hybridization of hybrid-input-output algorithm and covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy. We address the problem of selection of the Zernike order used in the phase parameterization for CMAES-HIO algorithm in this paper. By introducing a hybrid evaluation parameter, which combines the algorithm accuracy and time consumption, we utilize the Monte-Carlo method to simulate the algorithm performance under different random surface distortions. Simulation results show that for an unknown surface distortion, a Zernike order of 5 or 6 is probably the optimum for the comprehensive algorithm performance with respect to time and accuracy.

We consider the scattering and absorption of the H-polarized plane wave by finite and semi-infinite systems of layers in the THz range. Every layer consists of an infinite graphene strip grating embedded into a dielectric slab. The solution of the problem we obtain in several steps. First, with the use of the method of singular integral equations we obtain scattering matrices of a single layer. Then, we present equations for the finite and semi-infinite systems of layers relatively the Fourier amplitudes of the scattered field. The frequency dependences of the reflection, transmission, and absorption coefficients demonstrate the variety of resonances: plasmon, slab-mode, grating-mode resonances, and resonances of the multilayer structure.

A new time reversal (TR) method for target imaging is proposed in this paper. Through single measurement by the antenna array, the received signals are utilized to form the space–frequency–frequency multistatic data matrix (MDM). Singular value decomposition is applied to the matrix to obtain the left singular vectors which span the signal subspace. The obtained vectors are divided into multiple subvectors by two different schemes and used to provide target signatures in the form of coarse frequency dependence and relative phase shifts that can be exploited to construct the imaging function. The performance of the proposed method is investigated through numerical simulations for both single and multiple targets, and the results are compared with the traditional TR method using the frequency–frequency MDM. It turned out that the proposed method is able to achieve high resolution with limited array aperture and shows satisfactory robustness in noise environment. Furthermore, experimental results are provided to show the availability of the method in practical applications.

The paper describes the design and development of a low profile wide scanned conformal active 1 × 32 phased array antenna for Ku-band SATCOM applications. The realized antenna is diagonally polarized and covers full transmit frequency band (i.e. 13.75–14.5 GHz) of Ku band SATCOM. All the developed sub-systems of the antenna, i.e. conformal radiating array, conformal transmit module, manifold network, and beam steering unit are described. The VSWR of the antenna is better than 1.65 over the complete transmit frequency band. The antenna has the beam steering capability of ±60° in the array plane. Designed antenna is best suited for airborne applications, where antenna profile contributes considerable aero drag and RCS to the host platform.

In this paper, the solution of the inverse scattering problem for determining the shape and location of perfectly conducting scatterers by making use of electromagnetic scattered fields is presented. Based on the boundary condition and the measured scattered field, a set of nonlinear integral equations is derived and the imaging problem is reformulated into an optimization one. Then, two evolutionary algorithms are used to solve the inverse scattering problem. To further clarify, our contribution is to test two well-known algorithms in the literature to the problem of microwave imaging. The hybrid approaches combine the standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) with the ideas of the simulated annealing and extremal optimization algorithms, respectively. Both of them are shown to be more efficient than original PSO technique. Reconstruction results by using the two presented schemes are compared with exact shapes of some conducting cylinders; and good agreements with the original shapes are observed.

The scattering of the H-polarized plane electromagnetic wave by a finite multilayer graphene strip grating is considered. The properties of the whole structure are obtained from the set of integral equations, which are written in the operator form. The scattering operators of a single layer are used and supposed to be known. Scattering and absorption characteristics as well as diffraction patterns are presented.

This paper presents a miniaturized 3-dB branch-line coupler based on slow-wave microstrip transmission lines. The miniaturized coupler operating at 2.45 GHz is designed and implemented on a double-layer printed circuit board substrate with blind metallic vias embedded in the lower substrate layer providing the slow-wave effect. Based on this concept, a 43% size miniaturization is achieved as compared with a classical microstrip branch-line coupler prototype. The measured S parameters present a return loss of 25.5 dB and an average insertion loss equal to 0.05 dB at the operating frequency.

In this study, a new microstrip patch antenna with wideband radar cross-section (RCS) reduction is presented. The RCS of the proposed antenna was reduced by subtracting the current-direction slots of the patch, with the radiation performance sustained not only for the current-direction subtraction, but also for the no modification in the ground plane. Modified and reference antenna were fabricated and measured. The simulation and measurement results showed that the modified antenna reduced the in-band and out-band RCS simultaneously with no detriment to the radiation performance. In the frequency band from 3.9 to 8.1 GHz, the RCS of the modified antenna was reduced in the whole band compared with the RCS of the reference antenna. The maximum RCS reduction was 7 dB at a frequency of 6.7 GHz.

This paper investigates metamaterials composed of resonant particles with negative electric polarizability located in a three-dimensional net. The main problem in fabricating these materials is the spread of the resonant frequencies of particular planar resonators. This spread is caused by the tolerances of the fabrication process for planar resonators. The simulation shows that there is a limit to the dispersion of resonant frequencies that allow the metamaterial to behave as a metamaterial with negative effective permittivity. Two metamaterials with a negative real part of the effective permittivity were designed on the basis of simulations. The first metamaterial has a regular periodic structure. The second is a metamaterial in which the resonant particles are randomly distributed both in space and in orientation, and it offers an isotropic response. This metamaterial was fabricated by inserting planar resonators into plastic shells that can be poured into any volume and ensure a random distribution of the resonant particles in space. The results of the simulations have been verified by measurements.

A coplanar waveguide slot antenna is herein presented. A rectangular slot is excited by a Y-shaped monopole etched on a single FR4 substrate. This structure exhibits two resonances due to the presence of the slot and the central monopole which can be used to design a dual-band or a wideband antenna. A parametric analysis is presented to describe the impedance matching mechanism for the two impedance bandwidths (BWs), as well as for the wideband antenna. The latter is fabricated and provides a measured impedance BW from 2.28 to 3.6 GHz, and gain larger than 2 dBi, yielding an outstanding BW/size trade-off. Finally, a 60 mm × 60 mm back metallic reflector is used to achieve a directive antenna with 6 dBi of measured gain, and an impedance BW from 2.16 to 3.59 GHz.

The Misell algorithm is one of the most widely used phase retrieval holography methods for large reflector antennas to measure surface deformation. However, it usually locks in a local minimum because it heads downhill from an initial estimation without any consideration whether it heads for a global minimum or not. The core problem of the Misell algorithm is to find an initial estimation near the global minimum to avoid local stagnation. To cope with the problem, we construct a hybrid Misell algorithm, named modified very fast simulated annealing (MVFSA)-Misell algorithm, to search for the global minimum with a high efficiency. The algorithm is based on the combination of the MVFSA algorithm and Misell algorithm. Firstly, the MVFSA is utilized to obtain a rough position near the global minimum in limited steps. Then, the Misell algorithm starts from the rough position to converge to the global minimum with high speed and accuracy. The convergence characteristic of the proposed algorithm was discussed in detail through digital simulation. Simulation results show that the algorithm can reach global minimum in a very short time. Unlike the traditional Misell algorithm, the hybrid algorithm is not influenced by initial phase estimation.

Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) beam-steering antennas are preferred for reducing the disruptive effects, such as those caused by high atmospheric debilitation in wireless communications systems. In this work, a compact broadband antenna array with a low loss feed network design is introduced. To overcome the short-range effects on mm-wave frequencies, a feed network – with a modified Butler matrix and a compact zeroth-order resonance antenna element – has been designed. Furthermore, the aperture feed technique has been utilized to provide a broadside stable pattern and improve the delivered gain. A Fabry-Perot layer without the height of the air layer is used. Taking advantage of this novel design, a broadband and compact beam-steering array antenna – capable of covering impedance bandwidths (from 33.84 to 36.59 GHz) and scanning a solid angle of about ~94°, with a peak gain of 17.6 dBi – is attained.

A compact and planar broadband circularly polarized (CP) eighth-mode substrate integrated waveguide (EMSIW) antenna is proposed in this paper. An isosceles right triangular waveguide with one electric sidewall (located on one of its catheti) and two magnetic sidewalls (located on the other two edges of the triangle) is presented to investigate the characteristics of the EMSIW. The closed-form mode solutions of the electromagnetic field components and the cut-off frequencies are derived for all propagating modes in this triangular waveguide. The simulated electromagnetic field distribution is consistent with the analytical results. The resonant frequencies of the EMSIW cavity are then determined. A CP antenna consisting of four EMSIW elements is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of the antenna is 21.6% from 4.72 to 5.86 GHz. Within this frequency range, the measured reflection coefficient is below −10 dB, and the measured peak gain in circular polarization at broadside is 6.89 dBic at 5.1 GHz.

This paper provides an overview of theory, design, simulation, and fabrication of novel spatial harmonic magnetrons (SHMs). An approximate analysis which provides the guidelines for the design and predicts the important characteristics of these devices will be presented. This analysis shows that the metamaterial loaded SHMs can start generating power with very small cathode current densities which is very important for designing THz sources based on SHMs. A design example with the operation frequency of 43 GHz together with the design procedure, PIC simulations, and measurement results will be examined.

A dual closed-loop stepped impedance resonator (DCLSIR) is investigated and used in designing a compact microstrip bandpass filter (BPF). The proposed DCLSIR is symmetrical; as a result, the symmetric characteristics of the resonator have been used. The design equations are derived and used to support the circuit design. The center frequency, position of transmission zeros, and fractional bandwidth (FBW) are easily tuned by changing the physical dimensions of the resonator. Three transmission zeros are generated to improve the performance in the upper stopband. A DCLSIR prototype BPF is fabricated with a center frequency of 9.3 GHz, and evaluated to validate the design concept. The measured FBW is 9.25%, the insertion loss is 1.58 dB, and the return loss is over 17 dB. The measurement results agree well with the simulation results.

A wideband and high-efficiency polarization conversion metasurface (PCM) is proposed and applied to reduce radar cross section (RCS). The proposed PCM unit is composed of two oblique asymmetry triangle split rings, which generate multiple plasmon resonances. Simulated and measured results demonstrate that it achieves polarization conversion over 90% from 9.24 to 17.64 GHz. Besides square checkerboard, the proposed PCM units and mirror units are arranged in triangle checkerboard. The mechanisms of both checkerboard PCMs are analyzed based on standard array theory, including the relationship between RCS reduction value and polarization conversion ratio value. The derived formulas provide a guideline to design checkerboard structure based on PCM. Simulated results demonstrate that both checkerboard PCMs achieve over 62% relative bandwidth of 10 dB RCS reduction under normal incidence with respect to the equal-sized metallic plate, which also means that the triangle one could be an alternative solution to reduce RCS. To verify the analyzed and simulated results, the fabricated sample and measured results of both checkerboard PCMs are presented. Good agreements are achieved between measurements, simulations and numerical analysis.

Two-dimensional scattering of a Gaussian beam by a homogeneous gyrotropic circular cylinder is presented. The incident Gaussian beam source is expanded as an approximate expression with Taylor's series. The transmitted field in the homogeneous gyrotropic cylinder is expressed in terms of the series of wave functions based on the integral equation. The unknown coefficients of the scattered fields are obtained with the aid of the boundary conditions of continuous tangential electric and magnetic fields. Some numerical results are presented and discussed. The result is in agreement with that available as expected when the Gaussian beam degenerates to a plane wave incidence case.

An axially slotted cylinder coated with two different types of inhomogeneous coating layers is considered. These inhomogeneous coatings have decreasing permittivity profiles. The effects of various parameters of these coatings upon the gain pattern have been investigated using numerical simulations. It is studied that the gain at certain observation angles can be enhanced or diminished by controlling the inhomogeneity parameters of these considered profiles. It is further studied that for specific type of considered inhomogeneous coatings, the forward direction gain can be enhanced significantly.