An Array of Millimeter-Wave Groove Gap Waveguide Elements with Phase Shifting and Polarization Reconfigurability

This paper discusses the design of an array of groove gap waveguide elements that achieves polarization reconfigurability over the span of frequencies between 28 and 32 GHz. The proposed array is composed of two vertically and two horizontally placed groove gap waveguide elements. Each element is able to act as a phase shifter by altering the pin configurations along the two sides of the groove. More specifically, at 30 GHz, each element produces a phase shift that spans between -96° and -49° with a phase step of almost 10°. In addition, polarization reconfigurability is achieved by exciting the corresponding waveguide elements through a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch.