A Highly Efficient, Multi-beam, Wide Scan Angle Antenna

Abstract

Some of the challenges in the design of multi-beam antennas is achieving good beam performance at wide angles, high cross over levels between adjacent beams, all while a high efficiency is maintained. Planar antenna, while very attractive because of their low-profile character, have difficulties achieving most of the abovementioned goals. Reflectors, even the toroidal type, have very limited scanning capabilities. The closest antenna type that can get close to meet these goals is the Luneburg lens, widely known for years. The present paper presents a multi-beam antenna concept based on a special variation of the Luneburg lens. The unique features of this concept are the following: 1. Complete coverage of a solid angle with a radius of 60°. 2. Constant separation between adjacent beams. 3. A 40% reduction in weight with respect to the traditional Luneburg Lens