A radio frequency antenna array uses lenses and RF elements, to provide ground-based coverage for cellular communication. The antenna array can include two spherical lenses, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. Each of the RF elements associated with a given lens produces an output beam with an output area. Each lens is positioned with the other lenses in a staggered arrangement. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically phase compensate the output beams produced by the RF elements based on the relative distance between the RF elements.

A radio frequency antenna array uses lenses and RF elements, to provide ground-based coverage for cellular communication. The antenna array can include two spherical lenses, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. Each of the RF elements associated with a given lens produces an output beam with an output area. Each lens is positioned with the other lenses in a staggered arrangement. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically phase compensate the output beams produced by the RF elements based on the relative distance between the RF elements.

A radio frequency antenna array uses lenses and RF elements, to provide ground-based coverage for cellular communication. The antenna array can include a spherical lens, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. Each of the RF elements associated with a given lens produces an output beam with an output area. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically phase compensate the output beams produced by the RF elements based on the relative distance between the RF elements.

A high gain, multi-beam lens antenna system for future fifth generation (5G) wireless networks. The lens antenna includes a spherical dielectric lens fed with a plurality of radiating antenna elements. The elements are arranged around the exterior surface of the lens at a fixed offset with a predetermined angular displacement between each element. The number of beams and crossover levels between adjacent beams are determined by the dielectric properties and electrical size of the lens. The spherical nature of the dielectric lens provides a focal surface allowing the elements to be rotated around the lens with no degradation in performance. The antenna system supports wideband and multiband operation with multiple polarizations making it ideal for future 5G wireless networks.

The present invention relates to a novel lens antenna with a 3D near-field focus-steering capability that operates at gigahertz and terahertz frequencies. The novel antenna includes a pair of discrete dielectric lenses fed by a stationary horn source. In-plane synchronous counter-rotation and co-rotation of the lens pair steers its near-field focus radially and azimuthally, respectively, while linear translation of the upper lens moves the focal point longitudinally. The steering focus beam enables fast imaging. In imaging applications, the radiated beam from the novel lens antenna focused in the target area can reduce undesired interference from neighboring structures and increase the system dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

The present invention relates to a novel lens antenna with a 3D near-field focus-steering capability that operates at gigahertz and terahertz frequencies. The novel antenna includes a pair of discrete dielectric lenses fed by a stationary horn source. In-plane synchronous counter-rotation and co-rotation of the lens pair steers its near-field focus radially and azimuthally, respectively, while linear translation of the upper lens moves the focal point longitudinally. The steering focus beam enables fast imaging. In imaging applications, the radiated beam from the novel lens antenna focused in the target area can reduce undesired interference from neighboring structures and increase the system dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

This application proposes multi-beam antenna systems using spherical lens are proposed, with high isolation between antenna ports and compatible to 2×2, 4×4, 8×8 MIMO transceivers. Several compact multi-band multi-beam solutions (with wideband operation, 40% +, in each band) are achieved by creating dual-band radiators movable on the track around spherical lens and by placing of lower band radiators between spherical lenses. By using of secondary lens for high band radiators, coupling between low band and high band radiators is reduced. Beam tilt range and side lobe suppression are improved by special selection of phase shift and rotational angle of radiators. Resultantly, a wide beam tilt range (0-40 degree) is realized in proposed multi-beam antenna systems. Each beam can be individually tilted. Based on proposed single- and multi-lens antenna solutions, cell coverage improvements and stadium tribune coverage optimization are also achieved, together with interference reduction.

This application proposes multi-beam antenna systems using spherical lens are proposed, with high isolation between antenna ports and compatible to 2×2, 4×4, 8×8 MIMO transceivers. Several compact multi-band multi-beam solutions (with wideband operation, 40% +, in each band) are achieved by creating dual-band radiators movable on the track around spherical lens and by placing of lower band radiators between spherical lenses. By using of secondary lens for high band radiators, coupling between low band and high band radiators is reduced. Beam tilt range and side lobe suppression are improved by special selection of phase shift and rotational angle of radiators. Resultantly, a wide beam tilt range (0-40 degree) is realized in proposed multi-beam antenna systems. Each beam can be individually tilted. Based on proposed single- and multi-lens antenna solutions, cell coverage improvements and stadium tribune coverage optimization are also achieved, together with interference reduction.

A lens array antenna system that includes a plurality of lens modules, each consisting of an RF lens and a plurality of feeds forming a linear feed region or feed array. Multiple linear feed regions supporting different frequency bands may be used. The lenses and array of feeds jointly rotate and are slidably connected to allow the location of the linear feed region relative to the focal locus of the lens to be changed by an actuator and controller to allow any two focal points corresponding to desired beam scanning directions to be covered by the linear feed region. In this way, a planar hybrid electromechanical beamforming antenna can form two independent beams in the upper hemisphere with only two mechanical actuators and a single axis of electronic beamforming, reducing production cost compared to existing multibeam antenna solutions.

A radio frequency antenna array uses lenses and RF elements, to provide ground-based coverage for cellular communication. The antenna array can include two spherical lenses, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. Each of the RF elements associated with a given lens produces an output beam with an output area. Each lens is positioned with the other lenses in a staggered arrangement. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically phase compensate the output beams produced by the RF elements based on the relative distance between the RF elements.