Design of Low‐Profile Low‐Scattering Planar Ultra‐Wideband Modular Array Using Space Mapping and Hybrid‐Functional Meta‐Surface

In this paper, we propose a phased antenna array with enhanced coupling configuration that integrates ultra‐wideband performance, low profile and significantly reduced scattering. The antenna design leverages an innovative arrangement of cross‐stacked planar dipole layers and a nonbalanced feed structure, achieving a miniaturised and highly integrated form. To further enhance performance, we incorporate resistive frequency selective surfaces (RFSS), short‐circuit columns and optimised dielectric layers to mitigate multifrequency resonance points caused by the ground plane and unbalanced feeding. These innovations enable a broader 9:1 operating bandwidth. Additionally, the integration of a hybrid‐functional metasurface is optimised using a synergy of equivalent circuit characterisation and space mapping (SM) technology, improving both design efficiency and functionality. We also extend the phase cancelation technique into the folded metasurface to induce reflection phase differences, resulting in an RCS reduction of more than 5 dB across the entire frequency band. An 8 × 8 antenna array was fabricated and tested, demonstrating exceptional wide bandwidth, wide scanning angles and low scattering characteristics, validating the effectiveness of the proposed design.