Printed lens antennas offer the possibility of realizing shaped beam patterns using no more complexity than is required for pencil beam patterns. Shaped beam patterns can be obtained by appropriately determining the complex transmission coefficient required for each cell (or element) of the printed lens, taking into account the varying feed field over the input surface of the lens. Certain ranges of transmission coefficient amplitude and phase are undesirable (eg. too low an amplitude implies a large reflection at the lens input surface). It would be preferable to constrain the range of values that the transmission coefficient can take as an integral part of the lens synthesis procedure, and thus the transmission coefficient itself needs to be the synthesis variable. In this thesis a synthesis technique for doing this is developed based on the method of generalized projections, modified to “operate” in the space of transmission coefficients. This makes it possible to immediately perceive what influence constraints on the actual transmission coefficients have on the possible radiation pattern performance. In addition, an approach that allows one to constrain the transmission coefficient to values that must be selected from an available database of transmission coefficients is incorporated into the synthesis technique.

Shape synthesis (also called topological synthesis or inverse design in other disciplines) has the potential to provide antenna engineers with a useful addition to their design tools. Transmitarray antennas, which consist of a feed antenna plus a printed planar structure that emulates a lens, are able to provide high directivity antenna performance, and have been the subject of sustained research over the past ten years. The transmitarray lens consists of a lattice of cells, with each cell occupied by an element that includes conductors of specific shape. The feed field incident on each element on the input surface side of the transmitarray is transformed by each element into a field of different amplitude and phase on the output surface side of each element, providing some desired aperture distribution on the output surface. In this thesis we develop a technique, and the overall computational tool to implement it, that fundamentally allows the electromagnetics to dictate how the conducting portions of a 3-layer element must be shaped in order to obtain some specific transmission coefficient. Such shape synthesis of the elements offers the possibility of obtaining elements that have properties not obtainable using conventional elements. These techniques were applied to the shape synthesis of dual-band elements (18 GHz and 24 GHz). A transmitarray using these elements was designed and fabricated, its performance measured and compared to simulated results. An in-depth discussion of the outcome experimentally validates the shape synthesis procedure.

Printed lens antennas offer the possibility of realizing shaped beam patterns using no more complexity than is required for pencil beam patterns. Shaped beam patterns can be obtained by appropriately determining the complex transmission coefficient required for each cell (or element) of the printed lens, taking into account the varying feed field over the input surface of the lens. Certain ranges of transmission coefficient amplitude and phase are undesirable (eg. too low an amplitude implies a large reflection at the lens input surface). It would be preferable to constrain the range of values that the transmission coefficient can take as an integral part of the lens synthesis procedure, and thus the transmission coefficient itself needs to be the synthesis variable. In this thesis a synthesis technique for doing this is developed based on the method of generalized projections, modified to “operate” in the space of transmission coefficients. This makes it possible to immediately perceive what influence constraints on the actual transmission coefficients have on the possible radiation pattern performance. In addition, an approach that allows one to constrain the transmission coefficient to values that must be selected from an available database of transmission coefficients is incorporated into the synthesis technique.

Transmitarrays antennas (TAs) can be seen as the planar counterpart of optical lenses. They are composed of thin radiating elements (unit cells) which introduce different local phase shifts on an incident electromagnetic wave, emitted by a primary source, and re-radiate it. By properly designing the unit cells and their distribution in the TA, the properties of the incident wave, e.g. wavefront and polarization, as well as the pattern of the radiated field can be tailored. Moreover, TAs are suited to low-cost multilayer fabrication processes, e.g. printed circuit board (PCB) technology, and can achieve electronic reconfiguration embedding diodes. Therefore, TAs are natural and cost-effective candidates for applications requiring to steer and shape the antenna beam, such as satellite communications (Satcom) and future terrestrial wireless networks. For instance, satellite antennas radiate contoured beams to cover specific Earth regions, whereas Satcom ground terminals and mobile base stations require very directive beams compliant with prescribed radiation masks. In many cases, the amplitude of the field impinging on the TA is fixed and the TA phase profile, i.e. the spatial distribution of the phase-shifting elements, is the only parameter that can be designed to generate the desired radiation pattern. Thus, versatile, efficient and robust phase-only synthesis methods are essential. Closed-form expressions for the phase profile can be derived only in a few cases and for specific targeted far-field patterns. On the other hand, synthesis approaches based on global optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithms, are general purpose but their convergence and accuracy is often poor, despite the long computation time. In this thesis, a mathematical approach for the phase-only synthesis of TAs using convex optimization is developed to solve diverse pattern shaping problems. The use of convex optimization ensures a good compromise between the generality, robustness and computational cost of the method.First, a model for the analysis of the TA is presented. It accurately predicts the antenna radiation pattern using the equivalence theorem and includes the impact of the spillover, i.e. the direct radiation from the TA feed. Then, the TA synthesis is formulated in terms of the far-field intensity pattern computed by the model. The phase-only synthesis problem is inherently non-convex. However, a sequential convex optimization procedure relying on proper relaxations is proposed to approximately solve it. The accuracy of these sub-optimal solutions is discussed and methods to enhance it are compared. The procedure is successfully applied to synthesize relatively large TAs, with symmetrical and non-symmetrical phase profiles, radiating either focused-beam or shaped-beam patterns, with challenging mask constraints.Finally, three millimeter-wave TAs, comprising different sets of unit cells, are designed using the synthesis procedure. The good agreement between the predicted radiation patterns and those obtained from full-wave simulations of the antennas demonstrates the precision and versatility of the proposed tool, within its range of validity. / Transmitarray antennas (TAs) är en typ av antenna som konsiderades som optiska lenser motparten. Transmitterray antennas (TAs) are a type of antenna that is considered as optical lenses counterpart.De är sammansatta av tunna strålande element eller unit cell (UCs) som introducerar olika lokala fasförskjutningar på en inkommande elektromagnetisk våg och stråla ut den igen. They are composed of thin radiating elements or unit cells (UCs) that introduce different local phase shifts on an incoming electromagnetic wave and radiate it out again.Den här vågen kommer från en primär elektromagnetisk källa. This wave comes from a primary electromagnetic source.Syftet med detta examensarbete är att bestämma hur man ska UC placera för att skapa en önskad utgångsstråle.This master thesis aim is to determine how to place the UC in order to create a desired output beam.TAs är biliga att bygga och kan också vara elektroniska omkonfigurerbara med hjälp av dioder. TAs are cheap to produce and can also be electronically reconfigurable using diodes. TAs används i Satcom-domänen eller för att designa ny hög hastighet nätverk (6G).TAs are used in the Satcom domain or to design new high-speed network (6G). När man skapar en antenn, kan man stämma fas och amplitud av kompositerna för att skapa en önskad utgångsstråle. På TAs är det lite svårare.When someone create an antenna, one can tune phase and amplitude of the composants to create a desired output beam. For TAs it is a little bit more difficult.Faktiskt kan man stämma endast fas i TA- arkitektur. In fact, one can only tune the phase in the TA architecture. Så behöver vi speciell designprocedur som kallas: fassyntesSo, we need special design procedure called: phase-only synthesis.Konvex optimering är en bra kompromiss mellan metodens generalitet och uträkningstimeConvex optimization is a good compromise between generality and computation time.Här presenterar vi en fassyntes metod på skapa TAs som utstrålar en önskad stråle. Here we present a phase-only synthesis method in order to create TAs which radiate a precise beam. Metoden är baserade på konvex optimering.

Dans les systèmes de communication et de détection sans fil, l'antenne est un élément indispensable pour transformer l'énergie électrique en ondes électromagnétiques rayonnée dans l'espace, et vice versa. Les antennes sont utilisées dans de nombreux dispositifs militaires et civils, tels que les radars (SAR, secteur automobile, détection de débris, etc.), les instruments biomédicaux, les systèmes de télécommunication (téléphones mobiles, stations de base) pour les communications point à multi-point ou point à point par exemple. Les antennes jouent aussi un rôle essentiel pour le développement de futurs réseaux connectés reliant plusieurs appareils à des utilisateurs en temps réel, par exemple pour l'Internet des objets (IoT). Les réseaux transmetteurs sont une solution attrayante pour de nombreuses applications telles que les communications par satellite (Satcom) ou les futurs réseaux 5G. L'architecture des antennes à réseau transmetteur les rend extrêmement compétitifs comparés aux réseaux phasés par exemple grâce à leur alimentation par onde d’espace et car ils ne souffrent pas du blocage induit par la source primaire, comme c’est le cas pour les réseaux réflecteurs ou les antennes à réflecteur. Grâce à leur fonctionnement en mode transmission, les réseaux transmetteurs peuvent être également facilement montés sur des plates-formes mobiles.Les applications Satcom en bande Ka constituent le secteur applicatif majeur de cette thèse. Cette bande fournit un débit de données élevé à la fois pour les liaisons descendantes et les liaisons montantes, en remplacement des systèmes actuels en bande Ku. Dans ce contexte, il convient aussi de prêter une attention particulière aux communications avec des plates-formes mobiles, par exemple les trains à grande vitesse, les avions, etc., ce qui nécessite de mettre au point des antennes à balayage de faisceau. De nombreuses propriétés avancées sont exploitées depuis ces dernières années pour accroître les débits et la flexibilité des systèmes de communication sans fil, par exemple la polarisation circulaire, la double polarisation, le fonctionnement multi-fréquence ou large bande, le dépointage électronique de faisceau. Pour réduire les coûts, des preuves de concept de réseaux transmetteurs non diélectriques sont également proposées. Cette thèse s’est déroulée dans le cadre du projet ANR TRANSMIL (Reconfigurable TRANSmitarrays for beam steering and beam forming at MILlimetre wave). Les objectifs de cette thèse sont de proposer de nouvelles architectures de réseaux transmetteurs fonctionnant en bande Ka en liaison descendante (de 17,7 GHz à 21,2 GHz) et en liaison montante (de 27,5 GHz à 31 GHz). Différents prototypes ont été conçus et fabriqués afin de valider les concepts proposés en bande X et en bande Ka. Un bon accord entre les résultats numériques et mesurés a été obtenu systématiquement. En particulier, les réseaux transmetteurs à double polarisation que nous avons conçus en bande X présentent un gain de 25 dBi et une bande passante à 3 dB de 20% à 10 GHz. Ces propriétés sont indépendantes de la polarisation du champ rayonné, ce qui signifie que des faisceaux de polarisation linéaire orthogonale peuvent être rayonnés indépendamment dans des directions différentes. Un réseau transmetteur bi-bande fonctionnant en bande Ka a également été mis au point. Sa bande passante à 3 dB est de 10% autour des fréquences centrales (19,5 GHz et 29 GHz) et son efficacité de rayonnement atteint 60%. D’autres concepts ont également été étudiés (réseaux transmetteurs sans diélectrique, réseau transmetteur reconfigurable). / Transmitarray is an attractive solution for front-end devices in the next generation of communications (5G). The spatial-fed architecture of transmitarray antennas can compete with phase-arrays due to the absence of feeding network and with reflectarrays since they do not suffer from feed blockage. Thanks to their operation in transmission mode, transmitarrays can be easily mounted on platforms for outdoor environment applications. With mature printed-circuit board technology, there are unstoppable experiments in various frequency bands from cm-wave to mm-wave and up to terahertz in upcoming years for potential applications. Many advanced properties are exploited in transmitarrays in recent years to meet high demands of communications facilities, for example, circular-polarization, dual-/multi-polarization or frequencies through many techniques. Some experiments are consid-ered to validate eligibility of this antenna type in commercial services or military missions, namely electronically steering beam, broad bandwidth, etc. In terms of cost reduction and rigidity, non-dielectric prototypes are also proposed. The Ka-band Satcom applications are the main objective of this thesis through trans-mitarray solution. This band provides high data rate for both down-link and up-link in replacement of the current Ku-band systems with miniaturized module in next dec-ades. Hence, it is worth to pay attention to communications for moving platforms, for example, high-speed trains, planes, etc.

De nombreuses applications civiles et militaires (faisceaux hertziens, futurs réseaux mobiles, communications par satellite, radars automobiles, systèmes d’imagerie haute résolution) nécessitent des antennes à faisceau reconfigurable (dépointage de faisceau, faisceaux multiples, faisceaux formés). Les antennes à réseaux transmetteurs apparaissent comme une alternative aux réseaux phasés classiques ou aux réseaux réflecteurs pour ces applications. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de démontrer la faisabilité de réseaux reconfigurables fabriqués avec des technologies standards en bande Ka (20-30 GHz). Divers cellules élémentaires utilisant des diodes p-i-n et fonctionnant en polarisation linéaire ou circulaire ont été conçues, optimisées et caractérisées. Les mesures en guide d’onde montrent des pertes minimales de 1,09 dB à 29,0 GHz et une bande passante à 3 dB de 14,7%. Une méthode de simulation hybride a été développée afin d’analyser efficacement des réseaux de grandes dimensions utilisant des rotations séquentielles d’éléments pour optimiser la qualité de polarisation et les diagrammes de rayonnement. Un réseau de 400 cellules élémentaires fonctionnant en polarisation circulaire a été réalisé et testé en chambre anéchoïque. Un dépointage électronique de ±60° et la possibilité de commuter entre les deux polarisations circulaires (droite/gauche) ont été démontrés. / Several civil and military applications (hertzian beams, satellite communications, automotive radars, high resolution imaging systems) require antennas with reconfigurable beam capabilities (beam-scanning, beamshaping, multiple beam generation). Transmitarray antennas are good candidates and represent an alternative to classical phased arrays or reflect-arrays for these applications. The main objective of this thesis is to demonstrate the feasibility of reconfigurable transmitarrays fabricated with standard technologies in Ka-band (20-30 GHz). Different unit-cell designs based on p-i-n diodes have been developed to work in linear and circular polarization. Their optimization and experimental characterization have been performed. Waveguide measurements show insertion losses of 1.09 dB at 29.0 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 14.7%. A hybrid simulation technique has been developed in order to analyze efficiently large transmitarrays in which the sequential rotation technique has been applied to optimize the polarization quality and the radiation patterns. A 400-elements transmitarray operating in circular polarization has been realized and tested in anechoic chamber. A beam-scanning angular coverage of ±60° and circular polarization selection (left/right) have been demonstrated.

In this thesis the major objective is the implementation of the inverse neural network concept in the design of printed lens (transmitarray) antenna. As it is computationally extensive to perform full-wave simulations for entire transmitarray structure and thereafter perform optimization, the idea is to generate a design database assuming that a unit cell of the transmitarray is situated inside a 2D infinite periodic structure. This way we generate a design database of transmission coefficient by varying the unit cell parameters. Since, for the actual design, we need dimensions for each cell on the transmitarray aperture and to do this we need to invert the design database. The major contribution of this thesis is the proposal and the implementation of database inversion methodology namely inverse neural network modelling. We provide the algorithms for carrying out the inversion process as well as provide check results to demonstrate the reliability of the proposed methodology. Finally, we apply this approach to design a transmitarray antenna, and measure its performance.