Multi-band lens antenna system
A multi-band antenna system that includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes a plurality of lens sets, each including a lens and feed element(s) configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals that pass through the lens. The second antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each disposed between two of the lenses of the first array.
1. A multi-band antenna system, comprising:
a first antenna array comprising a plurality of lens sets, each of the plurality of lens sets comprise a lens and one or more feed elements configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals that pass through the lens; and
a second antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, one or more of the plurality of antenna elements being disposed between at least three of the lenses of the first array.
2. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first antenna array transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals in a first frequency band; and
the second antenna array transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals in a second frequency band that is lower than the first frequency band.
3. The antenna system of claim 2 , wherein the second frequency band is the L band and the first frequency band is the Ka band or the Ku band.
4. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements of the second antenna array comprise flat antennas, wire elements, printed circuit board (PCB) Vivaldi antennas, dipoles, planar antennas, or dielectric-loaded patch antennas.
5. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna array is a phased array that electrically steers a beam of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets in at least one dimension.
6. The antenna system of claim 5 , wherein the second antenna array is a phased array that electrically steers a beam of embedded radiation patterns of the antenna elements in at least one dimension.
7. The antenna system of claim 5 , wherein the antenna system is mechanically steerable such that beams of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets and the antenna elements are steerable in at least one dimension.
8. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna system is mechanically steerable such that beams of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets and the antenna elements are steerable in at least one dimension.
9. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna array is non-planar.
10. The antenna system of claim 1 , wherein the lenses are non-spherical.
11. A method of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals in multiple bands, the method comprising:
providing a first antenna array comprising a plurality of lens sets, each of the plurality of lens set comprise a lens and one or more feed elements; and
providing a second antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, one or more of the plurality of antenna elements being disposed between at least three of the lenses of the first array;
transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals, by the feed elements, that pass through the lenses; and
transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals, by the antenna elements.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the electromagnetic signals transmitted and/or received by the feed elements of the first antenna array are in a first frequency band; and
the electromagnetic signals transmitted and/or received by the antenna elements of the second antenna array are in a second frequency band that is lower than the first frequency band.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second frequency band is the L band and the first frequency band is the Ka band or the Ku band.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the antenna elements of the second antenna array comprise flat antennas, wire elements, printed circuit board (PCB) Vivaldi antennas, dipoles, planar antennas, or dielectric-loaded patch antennas.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
electrically steering a beam of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets of the first antenna array in at least one dimension.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
electrically steering a beam of embedded radiation patterns of the antenna elements of the second antenna array in at least one dimension.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
mechanically steering the beams of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets of the first antenna array and the antenna elements of the second antenna array in at least one dimension.
18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
mechanically steering the beams of embedded radiation patterns of the lens sets of the first antenna array and the antenna elements of the second antenna array in at least one dimension.
19. The method system of claim 11 , wherein the first antenna array is non-planar.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lenses are non-spherical.