3-D Mechanically Tunable Square Slot FSS

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation 2017-01, Vol.65 (1), p.242-250
• Main Authors: Ferreira, David, Cuinas, Inigo, Caldeirinha, Rafael F. S., Fernandes, Telmo R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Bandpass filters; Computer simulation; Frequency response; Frequency selective surfaces; frequency selective surfaces (FSS); Incidence angle; measurement; mechanical systems; Parametric equations; Performance enhancement; radio propagation; Resonant frequency; Shafts; simulation; Three-dimensional displays; Tuning; Two dimensional displays
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2016.2631131

We introduce an innovative 3-D mechanically tunable frequency selective surface (FSS), which is inspired by the classical flat square slot FSS. The proposal improves the performance of classical 2-D FSS designs, and it also represents a novel method of achieving mechanical frequency tuning, despite other 3-D designs that consist of a collection of stacked 3-D layers exist. In our proposal, the rotation of an inner element provides tuning capability to the squared cell structure, consisting of metallic grids with a movable inner element. An aluminum prototype was built, which can be tuned from 2.4 to 4 GHz, and also compared its measured performance and numerical simulations. Some characteristics of the proposed structure are the rejection level at main polarization, up to 20 dB, and the maximum frequency sweep of approximately 50% of the fundamental frequency. The prototype showed a stable frequency response for angles of incidence up to 45°. Since results are in good agreement with simulations, we provide parametric equations to design 3-D structures at desired frequencies.