Millimeter wave reconfigurable antenna with single layered unit cell pattern

A system comprising:

• a substrate;
• an array of unit cells for a multi-cell antenna printed on the substrate, wherein each unit cell comprises:
• a first trace having an outer perimeter that forms a cross shape and an inner perimeter that encloses an area within the first trace;
• a second trace having an outer perimeter that is completely enclosed by and does not contact the inner perimeter of the first trace;
• and
• a varactor electrically connecting the first trace to the second trace.

A method comprising:

• receiving an electromagnetic signal at an array of unit cells for a multi-cell antenna printed on a substrate, wherein each unit cell comprises:
• a first trace having an outer perimeter that forms a cross shape and an inner perimeter that encloses an area within the first trace;
• a second trace having an outer perimeter that is completely enclosed by and does not contact the inner perimeter of the first trace;
• and
• a varactor electrically connecting the first trace to the second trace;
• and
• controlling a capacitance of the varactor of each unit cell to result in a corresponding phase shift of a reflected electromagnetic signal, wherein the reflected electromagnetic signal of each unit cell results in one or more directed beams from the array of unit cells.