Mutual Coupling Analysis Using FDTD for Dielectric Resonator Antenna Reflectarray Radiation Prediction

A simulation technique based on Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) is used to analyze mutual coupling effects in reflectarray environment. The neighbouring element method has the ability to analyze actual non-identical reflectarray unit-cell accurately compared to the traditional Floquet simulation which assumes all unit-cell is identical. It is also found that the nearest neighbouring unit-cell located in E-plane has a larger mutual coupling effects compared to the neighbouring unit-cell in H-plane. A good agreement is shown between simulation and measurement results. This technique presents a new prediction method for the radiation pattern of reflectarray antenna.