Shared Aperture Reflectarray with High-Ratio Dual S/X-Band for LEO Satellite Communication Systems
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The rapid expansion of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations necessitates the development of multi-band antennas that are not only high-performing but also low-cost, lightweight, and highly reliable for mass production. This paper addresses this need by proposing a novel shared-aperture reflectarray antenna for simultaneous S-band and X-band operation. The design is based on a single-layer architecture that co-integrates two electromagnetically distinct resonant elements—a cross-dipole for the S-band and a diamond-ring slotted patch for the X-band—onto a single 1.52 mm thick Rogers RO3003 substrate. This approach achieves a high frequency ratio of 4:1 while ensuring independent phase control and high isolation for each band through an optimized geometry, circumventing the complexity and reliability issues of conventional multilayer systems. A prototype with dimensions of 260 × 364 mm2 was fabricated and experimentally validated in an anechoic chamber. It achieved a measured peak gain of 7.99 dBi at 1.996 GHz for the S-band and 17.99 dBi at 7.94 GHz for the X-band, respectively. The results confirm the viability of the proposed design, demonstrating a structurally simple, easily manufacturable, and cost-effective alternative to complex multilayer systems, making it a promising candidate for next-generation LEO satellite communication platforms.
Source: Applied Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/app152211992
Institutions: Hanbat National University, Yuhan University
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Awards: G2907220116, G3531114168
OpenAlex ID: W4416123463