International Journal of Antennas and Propagation (Jan 2009)

Liquid Crystal-Reconfigurable Antenna Concepts for Space Applications at Microwave and Millimeter Waves

  • A. Gaebler,
  • A. Moessinger,
  • F. Goelden,
  • A. Manabe,
  • M. Goebel,
  • R. Follmann,
  • D. Koether,
  • C. Modes,
  • A. Kipka,
  • M. Deckelmann,
  • T. Rabe,
  • B. Schulz,
  • P. Kuchenbecker,
  • A. Lapanik,
  • S. Mueller,
  • W. Haase,
  • R. Jakoby

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/876989
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2009

Abstract

Read online

Novel approaches of tunable devices for millimeter wave applications based on liquid crystal (LC) are presented. In the first part of the paper, a novel concept of a tunable LC phase shifter realized in Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics technology is shown while the second part of the paper deals with a tunable high-gain antenna based on an LC tunable reflectarray. The reflectarray features continuously beam scanning in between ±25∘. Also first investigations on radiation hardness of LCs are carried out, indicating that LCs might be suitable for space applications.