Miniaturized reconfigurable three dimensional printed frequency selective surface based microwave absorbers

Abstract

A unique strategy for the design of reconfigurable microwave absorbers based on the frequency selective surface (FSS) concept is presented in this paper. Three different topologies are considered (namely, Structure A, B, and C), and their resonance frequencies are varied by increasing the height and subsequently changing the capacitance value, with the help of a modular interlocking block system. This reconfigurability further reduces the electrical size of the absorber structures, thereby leading to miniaturization. Structure A has an absorption frequency switching from 4.89 GHz to 2.26 GHz (with a 53.7% miniaturization). Similarly, Structure B has a frequency range between 2.98 and 1.89 GHz, leading to a size reduction of 36.5%, whereas the frequency shift is observed in Structure C from 2.25 GHz to 1.79 GHz (with a shift of 20.4%). The absorptivity curves in L, S, and C bands for various structures are unaltered by variation in polarization and incident angle (up to 30 degrees), indicating polarization-insensitive and angularly stable responses. Impedance responses (real and imaginary) are also evaluated to justify the absorption characteristics. The proposed structures are fabricated using the three-dimensional (3D) printing technique, and their test results are consistent with the simulated responses. © 2024 Taylor & Francis.