A tunable BST integrated V-band patch element with interdigital gap configuration

In this paper, a V-band tunable reflectarray unit cell using an interdigital gap loading structure is presented. Tunability is achieved by loading the antenna element with Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) thin film along the IDC gap. The effects from substrate thickness and patch width on the reflection properties are investigated using full-wave simulations. A unit cell design demonstrating an overall phase range of 216.3° and a maximum loss of 6.7dB at 59.28 GHz is realized. The presented design benefits from the monolithic integration of BST with the patch element and allows for high frequency operation without parasitic losses.