Dynamically variable beamwidth and variable azimuth scanning antenna

A dynamically variable beamwidth and variable azimuth scanning antenna comprising:

• a first plurality (M) of spaced-apart active radiating columns each having a respective column signal node, the columns collectively defining a beam having a beamwidth correlated to phase shifts between the respective column signal nodes and a feed node;
• and
• a second plurality (N) of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters each having an independent remotely controlled drive and being directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column between the column signal node thereof and the feed node, the phase shifters being independently operable to vary the phase shift between the respective column signal nodes and the feed node to thereby vary the beamwidth and the azimuth scan angle of the beam defined by the plurality of active radiating columns.

A dynamically variable beamwidth antenna comprising:

• a first plurality (M) of spaced-apart active radiating columns each having a respective column signal node, the columns collectively defining a beam having a beamwidth correlated to phase shifts between the respective column signal nodes and a feed node;
• and
• a second plurality (N) of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters each having an independent remotely controlled drive and being directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column between the column signal node thereof and the feed node, the phase shifters being independently operable to vary the phase shift between the respective column signal nodes and the feed node to thereby vary the beamwidth of the beam defined by the plurality of active radiating columns.

A dynamically variable azimuth scanning antenna comprising:

• a first plurality (M) of spaced-apart active radiating columns each having a respective column signal node, the columns collectively defining a beam having an azimuth scan angle correlated to phase shifts between the respective column signal nodes and a feed node;
• and,
• a second plurality (N) of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters each having an independent remotely controlled drive and being directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column between the column signal node thereof and the feed node, the phase shifters being independently operable to vary the phase shift between the respective column signal nodes and the feed node to thereby vary the azimuth scan angle of the beam defined by the plurality of active radiating columns.

A method of dynamically varying the beamwidth of an antenna comprising:

• exciting a first plurality (M) of spaced-apart active radiating columns at respective column signal nodes so that the columns collectively define a beam;
• varying the phase of signals to the columns with a second plurality (N) of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters and defining a beamwidth with the phase shifts;
• independently remotely controlling the phase shifters for the columns through respective independent remotely controlled drives of the phase shifters to independently vary the phase shifts between the respective column signal nodes and thereby vary the beamwidth of the beam.

A method of dynamically varying the azimuth scanning of an antenna comprising:

• exciting a first plurality (M) of spaced-apart active radiating columns at respective column signal nodes so that the columns collectively define a beam;
• varying the phase of signals to the columns with a second plurality (N) of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters and defining an azimuth scan angle with the phase shifts;
• independently remotely controlling the phase shifters for the columns through respective independent remotely controlled drives of the phase shifters to vary the phase shift between the respective column signal nodes and thereby vary the azimuth scan angle of the beam.