Switchable reflector for radar cross section reduction of x-band dipole array

A switchable reflector using pin diodes for the radar cross section (RCS) reduction of an antenna reflector was proposed. The reflection coefficient of the proposed reflector was able to be switched between less than -20 dB with OFF-state diodes and more than -0.8 dB with ON-state diodes around 9 GHz. The proposed reflector with ON-state diodes was applied to the reflector of a dipole array antenna and equivalent radiation pattern to one with a metal reflector was obtained. Moreover, it with OFF-state diodes reduces the antenna RCS more than 10 dB at 9 GHz. Therefore it can contribute to the antenna RCS reduction at the radiation frequency without degrading antenna performance.