Beam-Steerable Hybrid SSPP Antenna Employing Split Ring Resonators and Cross-Shaped Aperture for Improved Radiation Features

This paper proposes a new beam-steering hybrid antenna based on the spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) transmission line loaded with elliptical cells backed by metamaterial split rings that exhibits excellent reflection characteristics and wide-angle beam steering. Simulations demonstrate that the antenna provides two distinct operating bands 4.9-6.2 GHz and 6.95-7.55 GHz both satisfying S11<-10 dB. When the antenna operates in the 4.9-6.2 GHz band, the main beam continuously scans from 312° to 123°, covering an angular range of 189°. In the 6.95-7.55 GHz band, the beam steers from 100° to 24°, yielding a 76° scan sector. To enhance performance, 4 -split ring resonators are placed on the bottom layer to boost radiation efficiency, while cross-shaped elements inserted between the elliptical SSPP cells enlarge the effective radiating aperture and extend the steering range. The resulting antenna simultaneously achieves high realized gain, broad beam-steering capability, and a compact footprint, making it a promising candidate for future satellite-communication and smart-transportation applications.