A. O. Kasyanov1, V. A. Obukhovets2
1, 2 Southern Federal University (Taganrog, Russia)

1 kasyanovao@sfedu.ru

The need for low-cost, reconfigurable beamforming antennas is widespread across many current and future generations of wireless and sensor systems. The development of highly directional or multibeam antennas is crucial in applications such as satellite and inter-satellite communications, terrestrial point-to-point communications, and radar.

The objective of the article is to examine the design principles, reconfiguration technologies, and promising development directions for reconfigurable reflective and feed-through antenna arrays.

An analytical review of current achievements and promising developments in the field of reconfigurable antenna systems based on reflective and feed-through arrays with electrical scanning has been provided. The article examines the principles of constructing antenna arrays with optical excitation circuits, technologies for reconfiguring such antenna systems, methods for constructing reconfigurable reflective array elements, control methods based on electronically tunable resonator reradiating elements and transmission line sections of controlled length, as well as by rotating antenna elements. Promising approaches to creating reconfigurable reflective arrays based on combined and dual-polarization antenna arrays, as well as arrays with polarization flexibility and dual-band arrays with adjustable array operating frequency have been identified. Active reflective antenna arrays and reconfigurable lens arrays with tunable scatterers and tuning loops have been presented, as well as spiral-phase lens arrays designed for operation with circular polarization. Approaches to expanding the bandwidth of reflective and transmitting arrays, mitigating nonlinear behavior during tuning, and implementing large-scale aperture antennas by creating composite apertures have been presented.

This analytical review identified the most promising areas for further research in the field of reconfigurable antenna systems based on reflective and transmitting arrays with electronic scanning and may be useful to specialists in radio engineering, antenna systems, and telecommunications, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in relevant fields.

Kasyanov A.O., Obukhovets V.A. Scanning reflective reconfigurable antenna arrays and lens arrays. Current status and future developments // Antennas. 2026. № 3. P. 7–26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j03209601-202603-02

1. Hum S.V., Perruisseau-Carrier J. Reconfigurable reflectarrays and array lenses for dynamic antenna beam control: A review. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2014. V. 62. № 1. P. 183–198.
2. Obukhovets V.A., Kas'yanov A.O. Mikropoloskovye otrazhatel'nye antennye reshetki. Metody proektirovaniya i chislennoe modelirovanie. M.: Radiotekhnika. 2006. (in Russian)
3. Kas'yanov A.O., Obukhovets V.A. Ploskaya spirafaznaya fokusiruyushchaya linza. Antenny. 1998. № 1. S. 57–62. (in Russian)
4. Huang J., Pogorzelski R.J. A Ka-band microstrip reflectarray with elements having variable rotation angles. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 1998. V. 46. № 5. P. 650–656.
5. Martynyuk A., Martinez Lopez J., Martynyuk N. Spiraphase-type reflectarrays based on loaded ring slot resonators. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2004. V. 52. № 1. P. 142–153.
6. Encinar J.A., Zornoza J.A. Broadband design of three-layer printed reflectarrays. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2003. V. 51. № 7. P. 1662–1664.
7. Chaharmir M., Shaker J., Gagnon N. et al. Design of broadband, single layer dual-band large reflectarray using multi open loop elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 9. P. 2875–2883.
8. Kock W.E. Path-length microwave lenses. Proceedings IRE. 1949. V. 37. № 8. P. 852–855.
9. McGrath D. Planar three-dimensional constrained lenses. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 1986. V. 34. № 1. P. 46–50.
10. Popovic Z., Mortazawi A. Quasi-optical transmit/receive front ends. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 1998. V. 46. № 11. P. 1964–1975.
11. Abbaspour-Tamijani A., Sarabandi K., Rebeiz G.M. Antenna-filter-antenna arrays as a class of bandpass frequency-selective surfaces. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 2004. V. 52. № 8. P. 1781–1789.
12. Phillion R., Okoniewski M. Lenses for circular polarization using planar arrays of rotated passive elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 59. № 4. P. 1217–1227.
13. Ryan C.G.M., Chaharmir M.R., Shaker J. et al. A wideband transmitarray using dual-resonant double square rings. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 5. P. 1486–1493.
14. Chaharmir M., Shaker J., Cuhaci M. et al. Novel photonically-controlled reflectarray antenna. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2006. V. 54. № 4. P. 1134–1141.
15. Carrasco E., Perruisseau-Carrier J. Reflectarray antenna at terahertz using grapheme. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. 2013. V. 12. P. 253–256.
16. Hum S.V., Okoniewski M., Davies R.J. Modeling and design of electronically tunable reflectarrays. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2007. V. 55. № 8. P. 2200–2210.
17. Kamoda H., Iwasaki T., Tsumochi J. et al. 60-GHz electronically reconfigurable large reflectarray using single-bit phase shifters. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 59. № 7. P. 2524–2531.
18. Legay H., Pinte B., Charrier M. et al. A steerable reflectarray antenna with MEMS controls. Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology. 2003. P. 494–499.
19. Hum S.V., McFeetors G., Okoniewski M. Integrated MEMS reflectarray elements. Proceedings of European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2006. P. 1–6.
20. Perruisseau-Carrier J., Skriverviky A. Monolithic MEMS-based reflectarray cell digitally reconfigurable over a 360° phase range. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. 2008. V. 7. P. 138–141.
21. Romanofsky R. Advances in scanning reflectarray antennas based on ferroelectric thin-film phase shifters for deep-space communications. Proceedings of the IEEE. 2007. V. 95. № 10. P. 1968–1975.
22. Perez-Palomino G., Baine P., Dickie R. et al. Design and experimental validation of liquid crystal-based reconfigurable reflectarray elements with improved bandwidth in F-band. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2013. V. 61. № 4. P. 1704–1713.
23. Carrasco E., Tamagnone M., Perruisseau-Carrier J. Tunable graphene reflective cells for thz reflectarrays and generalized law of reflection. Applied Physics Letters. 2013. V. 102. № 10. P. 104103-1–104103-4.
24. Hum S., Okoniewski M., Davies R. Realizing an electronically tunable reflectarray using varactor diode-tuned elements. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters. 2005. V. 15. № 6. P. 422–424.
25. Riel M., Laurin J. Design of an electronically beam scanning reflectarray using aperture-coupled elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2007. V. 55. № 5. P. 1260–1266.
26. Rodriguez-Zamudio J., Martinez-Lopez J., Rodriguez-Cuevas J. et al. Reconfigurable reflectarrays based on optimized spiraphase-type elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 4. P. 1821–1830.
27. Bhartia P., Bahl I.J. Frequency agile microstrip antennas. Microwave Journal. 1982. P. 67–70.
28. Vendik O., Parnes M. A phase shifter with one tunable component for a reflectarray antenna. IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. 2008. V. 50. № 4. P. 53–65.
29. Boccia L., Amendola G., DiMassa G. Performance improvement for a varactor-loaded reflectarray element. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 2. P. 585–589.
30. Legay H., Cailloce Y., Vendier O. et al. Satellite antennas based on MEMS tunable reflectarrays. Proceedings of European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2007. P. 1–6.
31. Rajagopalan H., Rahmat-Samii Y., Imbriale W. RF MEMS actuated reconfigurable reflectarray patch-slot element. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2008. V. 56. № 12. P. 3689–3699.
32. Moessinger A., Marin R., Mueller S. et al. Electronically reconfigurable reflectarrays with nematic liquid crystals. Electronics Letters. 2006. V. 42. № 16. P. 899–900.
33. Hu W., Cahill R., Encinar J. et al. Design and measurement of reconfigurable millimeter wave reflectarray cells with nematic liquid crystal. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2008. V. 56. № 10. P. 3112–3117.
34. Romanofsky R., Bernhard J., Van Keuls F. et al. K-band phased array antennas based on Ba0.60Sr0.40TiO3 thin-film phase shifters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 2000. V. 48. № 12. P. 2504–2510.
35. Sazegar M., Giere A., Zheng Y. et al. Reconfigurable unit cell for reflectarray antenna based on barium-strontium-titanate thick-film ceramic. Proceedings of European Microwave Conference. 2009. P. 598–601.
36. Carrasco E., Barba M., Encinar J. X-band reflectarray antenna with switching-beam using pin diodes and gathered elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 12. P. 5700–5708.
37. Bayraktar O., Civi O., Akin T. Beam switching reflectarray monolithically integrated with RF MEMS switches. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 2. P. 854–862.
38. Phelan H.R. Spiraphase reflectarray for multitarget radar. Microwave Journal. 1977. V. 20. P. 67.
39. Guclu C., Perruisseau-Carrier J., Civi O. Proof of concept of a dual-band circularly-polarized RF MEMS beam-switching reflectarray. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 11. P. 5451–5455.
40. Perruisseau-Carrier J. Versatile reconfiguration of radiation patterns, frequency and polarization: A discussion on the potential of controllable reflectarrays for software-defined and cognitive radio systems. Proceedings of IEEE International Microwave Workshop Series on RF Front-ends for Software Defined and Cognitive Radio Solutions. 2010. P. 1–4.
41. Perruisseau-Carrier J., Pardo P. Unit cells for dual-polarized and polarization-flexible reflectarrays with scanning capabilities. Proceedings of European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2009. P. 1218–1221.
42. Perruisseau-Carrier J. Dual-polarized and polarization-flexible reflective cells with dynamic phase control. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 5. P. 1494–1502.
43. Carrasco E., Encinar J., Barba M. et al. Dual-polarization reflectarray elements for Ku-band Tx/Rx portable terminal antenna. Proceedings of European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. P. 1–5.
44. Carrasco E., Mariano B., Encinar J.A. et al. Two-bit reflectarray elements with phase and polarization reconfiguration. Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation. Orlando, Florida. 2013.
45. Mener S., Gillard R., Sauleau R. et al. Design and characterization of a CPSS-based unit-cell for circularly polarized reflectarray applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2013. V. 61. № 4. P. 2313–2318.
46. Rodrigo D., Jofre L., Perruisseau-Carrier J. A frequency reconfigurable cell for beam-scanning reflectarrays. Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation. Orlando, Florida. 2013.
47. Navarro J.A., Chang K. Integrated active antennas and spatial power combining. John Wiley & Sons. 1996.
48. Kishor K., Hum S. An amplifying reconfigurable reflectarray antenna. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 1. P. 197–205.
49. Bialkowski M.E., Robinson A.W., Song H.J. Design, development, and testing of X-band amplifying reflectarrays. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2002. V. 50. № 8. P. 1065–1076.
50. Clark R.W., Huff G.H., Bernhard J.T. An integrated active microstrip reflectarray element with an internal amplifier. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2003. V. 51. № 5. P. 993–999.
51. Cabria L., Garcıa J.A., Gutierrez-Rıos J. et al. Active reflectors: Possible solutions based on reflectarrays and Fresnel reflectors. International Journal of Antennas and Propagation. 2009. V. 2009. Article ID 653952.
52. Ruggerini G., Toso G., Angeletti P. A discrete aperiodic active lens for multibeam satellite applications. 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology (ARRAY). 2010. P. 524–528.
53. Al-Joumayly M.A., Behdad N. A generalized method for synthesizing low-profile, band-pass frequency selective surfaces with non-reso­nant constituting elements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 12. P. 4033–4041.
54. Lau J., Hum S. Analysis and characterization of a multipole reconfigurable transmitarray element. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 59. № 1. P. 70–79.
55. Clemente A., Dussopt L., Sauleau R. et al. 1-bit reconfigurable unit cell based on PIN diodes for transmit-array applications in-band. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 5. P. 2260–2269.
56. Iturri-Hinojosa A., Martinez-Lopez J., Martynyuk A. Analysis and design of E-plane scanning grid arrays. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 7. P. 2266–2274.
57. Boccia L., Russo I., Amendola G. et al. Preliminary results on tunable frequency selective surface for beam steering transmit-array applications. Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. P. 1002–1005.
58. Lau J.Y., Hum S.V. A wideband reconfigurable transmitarray element. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 3.
59. Jiang T., Wang Z., Li D. et al. Low-DC voltage-controlled steering-antenna radome utilizing tunable active metamaterial. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 2012. V. 60. № 1. P. 170–178.
60. Padilla P., Munoz-Acevedo A., Sierra-Castaner M. et al. Electronically reconfigurable transmitarray at Ku band for microwave applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 8. P. 2571–2579.
61. Lau J., Hum S. A wideband reconfigurable transmitarray element. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 60. № 3. P. 1303–1311.
62. Cheng C.-C., Lakshminarayanan B., Abbaspour-Tamijani A. A programmable lens-array antenna with monolithically integrated MEMS switches. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 2009. V. 57. № 8. P. 1874–1884.
63. O’Kane S., Fusco V. Circularly polarized curl antenna lens with manual tilt properties. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2009. V. 57. № 12. P. 3984–3987.
64. Euler M., Fusco V. Frequency selective surface using nested split ring slot elements as a lens with mechanically reconfigurable beam steering capability. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2010. V. 58. № 10. P. 3417–3421.
65. Kaouach H., Dussopt L., Lanteri J. et al. Wideband low-loss linear and circular polarization transmit-arrays in V-band. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 59. № 7. P. 2513–2523.
66. Liu C., Hum S. An electronically tunable single-layer reflectarray antenna element with improved bandwidth. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. 2010. V. 9. P. 1241–1244.
67. Perez-Palomino G., Encinar J., Barba M. et al. Design and evaluation of multi-resonant unit cells based on liquid crystals for reconfigurable reflectarrays. IEE Proceedings on Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation. 2012. V. 6. № 3. P. 348–354.
68. Carrasco E., Barba M., Encinar J. Reflectarray element based on aperture-coupled patches with slots and lines of variable length. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2007. V. 55. № 3. P. 820–825.
69. Carrasco E., Barba M., Encinar J. Design and validation of gathered elements for steerable-beam reflectarrays based on patches aperture-coupled to delay lines. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 59. № 5. P. 1756–1761.
70. Sorrentino R., Gatti R., Marcaccioli L. Recent advances on millimetre wave reconfigurable reflectarrays. Proceedings of European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. 2009. P. 2527–2531.
71. Rajagopalan H., Xu S., Rahmat-Samii Y. Reflector antenna distortion compensation using subreflectarrays: Simulations and experimental demonstration [AMTA corner]. IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. 2012. V. 54. № 3. P. 235–246.
72. Tienda C., Arrebola M., Encinar J. et al. Analysis of a dual-reflectarray antenna. IEE Proceedings on Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation. 2011. V. 5. № 13. P. 1636–1645.
73. Hu W., Arrebola M., Cahill R. et al. 94 GHz dual-reflector antenna with reflectarray subreflector. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2009. V. 57. № 10. P. 3043–3050.
74. Kas'yanov A.O., Kas'yanova A.N. Elektrodinamicheskij analiz i razrabotka SAPR-orientirovannykh matematicheskikh modelej pechatnykh antennykh reshetok: Monografiya. Taganrog – YuFU: Izdatel'stvo Yuzhnogo federal'nogo universiteta. 2017. (in Russian)
75. Kas'yanov A.O. Aperturnye antenny v pechatnom ispolnenii. Metody proektirovaniya i oblasti primeneniya. Rostov-na-Donu, Taganrog: Izdatel'stvo Yuzhnogo federal'nogo universiteta. 2021. (in Russian)
76. Kas'yanov A.O. Rekonfiguriruemye antennye reshetki i intellektual'nye radioelektronnye pokrytiya. Metody proektirovaniya i oblasti primeneniya: Monografiya. Rostov-na-Donu, Taganrog – YuFU: Izdatel'stvo Yuzhnogo federal'nogo universiteta. 2024. (in Russian)
77. Kas'yanov A.O. Antenny nazemnykh terminalov sistem podvizhnoj sputnikovoj svyazi i navigatsii: Monografiya. Rostov-na-Donu, Taganrog – YuFU: Izdatel'stvo Yuzhnogo federal'nogo universiteta. 2025. (in Russian)