Reconfigurable FSS with a Switchable Passband for Space Applications in X and Ka Bands

Abstract

In this work, an active frequency selective surface (FSS) is proposed for multiband space antennas in X and Ka bands. The FSS offers three reflection bands at 20 and 30 GHz (uplink and downlink frequencies of Ka-band satellites) and presents a switchable passband at 10 GHz. The FSS unit cell is made up of three metallic layers, and four PIN diodes on the bottom layer are used to control the switching between transmission and reflection in X band. The FSS performance has been studied through an equivalent circuit model. The FSS supports dual polarization and shows a robust spectral response for incidence angles of up to 30°.