Metasurface Ultra-Flat Antennas (MUFA): ultra-flat VSAT antenna for institutional and civilian applications

Wave Up is exploiting MTS technology for the realization of ultra flat, high performance antennas for communication services operating in the Ka band for safety and surveillance applications. Such antennas represent a planar alternative to reflectors, especially advantageous in those applications where minimization of environmental and visual impact can be an issue. Furthermore, the low profile antennas would be easier to conceal behind an RF transparent panel as a protection against theft and vandalism.

The project (funded by the European Space Agency under Artes 5.2 project) involves antennas for both 20 GHz and 30 GHz frequency bands, as well as antennas with a pre-tilted radiation axis for a more compact and versatile antenna placement. We designed, built and tested three prototypes, each one with peculiar features relevant to the project.

Ground-to-satellite transmitting antenna for 30 GHz band.

The antenna is designed for ground-to-satellite communication in the 29.5-30 GHz frequency band with right-handed circular polarization and low cross-polar component. The radiation pattern can be carefully shaped in order to fit the stringent transmission masks required by the satellite service providers, as for this prototype.
This antennas has a measured maximum directivity exceeding 41 dBi, and a measured gain of 39.5 dBi, a sign of an unprecedented radiation efficiency for these types of antennas.
This ultra-flat antenna has a thickness of less than 5 mm, excluding the supporting back plate, which can be custom designed.

Key Features
- frequency range: 29.5 - 30 GHz
- gain: 39.5 dBi
- main beam angle: 0°
- polarization: right-handed circular;
- thickness: < 5 mm

Ground-to-satellite receiving antenna for 20 GHz band.

This antenna can receive satellite-transmitted signals in the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band with left-handed circular polarization and low cross-polar component.
This antennas has a measured gain of 34.6 dBi and its thickness is less than 5 mm, excluding the supporting back plate, which can be custom designed.

Key Features
- frequency range: 19.7 - 20.2 GHz
- gain: 34.6 dBi
- main beam angle: 0°
- polarization: left-handed circular;
- thickness: < 5 mm

Pre-tilted ground-to-satellite receiving antenna for 20 GHz band.

This antenna operates in the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band with left-handed circular polarization and extremely low cross-polar component.
This antennas has a measured gain of 33 dBi and its thickness is less than 5 mm, excluding the supporting back plate. The peculiarity of this antennas is that the main beam direction is 30° from the axis, thus allowing a more compact placement of the antenna for non-broadside operations.

Key Features
- frequency range: 19.7 - 20.2 GHz
- gain: 33 dBi
- main beam angle: 30°
- polarization: left-handed circular;
- thickness: < 5 mm