A Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) based on a Reconfigurable MEMS switch for GNSS L1-band

This paper presents a tunable Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) for the L1-band of navigation frequencies that utilises a MEMS switch. The reconfigurable frequency-selective electromagnetic filter, achieved by combining hard magnetic materials with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), provides a novel approach to reconfigurable frequency-selective surfaces (FSS). By incorporating magnetically actuated dipole components that can tilt away from the base surface, we can adjust the operating frequency of the FSS without physically modifying the size of the dipole components. The 9x9 array, measuring 365 mm, consists of plates made from Rogers RO3003 material, each with dimensions of 531.2 x 531.2 x 8.768 mm, layered with a 0.03 mm-thick copper conductor (Cu). The proposed system features a cross dipole printed on a Rogers-RO3003 substrate, with a MEMS switch placed between one of the dipole arms to adjust its length. The MEMS switch facilitates frequency tuning by altering the length of a rectangular dipole. This phase modulation technique enables the steering of reflected waves, thereby enhancing beam resolution and coverage, while allowing the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) to control the reflection of reflection. The presented reconfigurable FSS design has effectively demonstrated the ability to tune its resonant frequency for the L1-band without physically changing its dimensions. The design was evaluated using the commercial simulator CST, and the numerical results align with experimental findings, confirming its effectiveness.