Enhanced signal coverage in Metropolitan areas using slotted square reflectarray antennas

Publications

Enhanced signal coverage in Metropolitan areas using slotted square reflectarray antennas

Year : 2026

Publisher : Springer Nature

Source Title : Journal of Engineering and Applied Science

Document Type :

Abstract

Efficient wireless communication in densely populated urban environments often encounters challenges related to signal propagation, especially in indoor and obstructed settings. Passive reflectarray antennas with beam-steering capabilities have emerged as a promising solution to address these limitations. However, conventional designs, especially in lower frequency bands, face challenges in achieving precise phase control in single-layer configurations and consistent performance. This work presents a single-layer slotted square reflectarray antenna operating at 5 GHz. The proposed unit cell enables a continuous 360° reflection phase variation through geometric tuning of the slotted patch. A 15 × 15 reflectarray fabricated on FR4 achieves beam steering at 20° and 45°. Experimental results show a peak gain of 21 dBi with stable performance over the 4.5–5.5 GHz range. This reflectarray design significantly improves signal coverage and mitigates propagation impairments in urban environments, making it a viable passive solution for next-generation wireless communication systems, including Wi-Fi and beyond.