Lens antenna systems and method
An electromagnetic antenna includes a channel configured to serve as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation, a first and second feed disposed next to each other inside the channel at a first end thereof, the first and second feed being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves into the channel, an aperture lens disposed inside the channel near a second end thereof opposite to the first end, the aperture lens being configured to output collimated beams, a first focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the first feed, the first focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the first feed toward a center of the aperture lens, and a second focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the second feed, the second focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the second feed toward the center of the aperture lens.
1. An electromagnetic antenna comprising:
a channel configured to serve as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation;
a first and second feed disposed next to each other inside the channel at a first end thereof, the first and second feed being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves into the channel;
an aperture lens disposed inside the channel near a second end thereof opposite to the first end, the aperture lens being configured to output collimated beams;
a first focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the first feed, the first focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the first feed toward a center of the aperture lens; and
a second focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the second feed, the second focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the second feed toward the center of the aperture lens.
2. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed by two parallel plates.
3. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 2 , wherein the two parallel plates are spaced apart by less than 1λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal provided to the first and second feed.
4. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 3 , wherein the channel has one or more bends between the first focal lens and the aperture lens.
5. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the one or more bends is 90°.
6. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 3 , wherein the channel is wider at the first end than in a middle section.
7. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 3 , wherein channel has a flared outlet at the second end.
8. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 1 , wherein the aperture lens has a surface curvature and a gradient-index (GRIN) profile.
9. An electromagnetic antenna comprising:
a channel formed by two parallel plates and configured to serve as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation;
a first feed disposed inside the channel at a first end thereof, the first feed being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves into the channel;
an aperture lens disposed inside the channel near a second end thereof opposite to the first end; and
a focal lens disposed inside the channel at a predetermined location between the first feed and the aperture lens, the focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the first feed toward a center of the aperture lens,
wherein the aperture lens outputs collimated beams.
10. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 9 , wherein the two parallel plates are spaced apart by less than 1λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal provided to the feed.
11. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 10 , wherein the channel has one or more bends between the focal lens and the aperture lens.
12. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more bends is 90°.
13. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 10 , wherein the channel is narrower at the predetermined location than at the first end.
14. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 10 , wherein channel has a flared outlet at the second end.
15. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 9 , wherein the aperture lens has a surface curvature and a gradient-index (GRIN) profile.
16. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of feeds including the first feed forming a feed array disposed at the first end of the channel.
17. An electromagnetic antenna comprising:
two parallel plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance less than 1λ wherein λ is a wavelength of a radiation by the electromagnetic antenna, the two parallel plates forming a channel serving as a waveguide for the electromagnetic radiation and producing a two-dimensional radiation pattern;
a first feed disposed inside the channel at a first end thereof, the first feed being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves into the channel;
a lens disposed inside the channel at a predetermined location between the first feed and a second end of the channel.
18. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 17 , wherein the channel is narrower at the predetermined location than at the first end.
19. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 17 , wherein channel has a flared outlet at the second end.
20. The electromagnetic antenna of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of feeds including the first feed forming a feed array at the first end of the channel.