Mm-Wave Beam Steering Antenna With Reduced Hardware Complexity Using Lens Antenna Subarrays

摘要

A millimeter (mm)-wave beam steering antenna consisting ofn${boldsymbol{L}}$nlens antenna subarrays (LASs) is introduced. Each LAS hosts annMn- element feed antenna array at its focal plane. The desired feed antenna of each LAS is excited through a single-pole multiple-throw (SPnMnT) switching network. The pole of each SPnMnT is connected to a mm-wave phase shifter (PS). The SPnMnT and PS states can be utilized jointly to steer the radiation pattern. For a given aperture size, the LAS size (i.e.,n${boldsymbol{L}})$ncan be adjusted to make a tradeoff between the total number of PSsn$({boldsymbol{L}})$nand switch throwsn$({boldsymbol{M}})$n. This can reduce the PS-related hardware complexities. The concept is demonstrated through a 38 GHz antenna consisting ofn${boldsymbol{L }}= text{4};{text{ LAS}}$n. Each LAS is capable of hosting ann${boldsymbol{M }}= 5$nelement aperture-coupled patch antenna array. The antenna prototype uses a single-patch antenna per LAS with mechanical movement to demonstrate the concept without the SP5T networks. The antenna performs with 8.5%n$| {{{boldsymbol{S}}_{11}}} | < - text{10};{text{ dB}}$nbandwidth, 15.7 dBi gain, 5.2°nHn-plane half-power beamwidth, and 75° field of view.