Predictive modeling of far-field pattern of a metamaterial antenna

Using reconfigurable metamaterials in conjunction with the principles of holography, new satellite antennas are under development for broadband communications. Yet, the promise of these devices will not be realized without efficient and effective control and optimization. Toward this end, we demonstrate a discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) model of a waveguide-fed planar metamaterial antenna. The proposed model predicts the far-field pattern of a 2D metamaterial antenna more than twice as accurately as models typically used in the field.