P-I-N diode-based hybrid mode reconfigurable element antenna for dual-linearly polarized Ka-band antenna array

This study introduces a multi-functional antenna array concept with polarization and phase-out reconfigurability operating in the Ka-band. We propose a novel dual-polarized reconfigurable antenna element featuring 1-bit phase quantization functionality using p-i-n diodes. The element comprises four p-i-n diodes on one symmetrical metallic layer and two bias lines for controlling four main outgoing wave modes. This single antenna offers a bandwidth of 1 GHz in four modes at 27 GHz, along with approximately 180 ° phase conversion for both linear polarization (LP) states. We construct 4 × 4 a multi-functional array with the arrangement of mirroring elements technique to suppress the cross polarization without the requirement for an external phase-shift compared to conventional dual-port method. Measurement results show a peak gain of 14.1 dBi with the XPD of 24 dB. Additionally, we show beam-steering capability ±30 ° of this antenna element when combined with a beamformer offering only continuous 180 ° phase-shift.