Multiple-feed integrated lens antenna with continuous scanning range

The paper presents a novel concept of the integrated lens antenna (ILA) that includes multiple feeds and provides continuous scanning without gain degradation in the given scanning sector. Each feed includes its own RF mixing stage and a radiating element mounted on the lens back focal surface. By having multiple-RF circuits, the distribution network is moved from the millimeter-wave front-end as in the classical solutions down to the analog or intermediate-frequency (IF) part of the transceiver where distribution losses are significantly lower (or even negligible). Continuous scanning is achieved by the power distribution over all the radiating elements that leads to a predictable displacement of the common phase center of the group of active elements relatively to the lens axis. The lens focuses the radiation in the particular direction defined by this phase center position. Thus, instead of activating only a single radiating element as in the classical beam-switching ILA, it is proposed to use a group of active elements and set the actual power distribution according to the desired beam direction. Low losses and continuous scanning range make this ILA concept perspective for practical implementation in different millimeter-wave applications like point-to-point radios and future 5G systems.