A constrained lens antenna for multiple beam satellites

A wide-band microwave constrained lens and feed array uses printed circuit technology for simultaneous multiple cofrequency band pencil beams from a single aperture. This frequency reuse multiple-beam concept requires sidelobes below -34 db for at least 37 beam positions over an 18° conical field of view. With such sidelobes, any one of several sets of six beams can be used at one time while maintaining high interbeam isolation. The lens is a space-fed array consisting of a large number of thin, printed circuit cards arranged in a circular grid. Computed and measured radiation characteristics are presented. The construction techniques are described.