Inhomogeneous lens with maxwell's fish-eye type gradient index, antenna system and corresponding applications
AssigneeUniversite De Rennes 1
InventorsOlivier Lafond, Mohamed Himdi, Sebastien Rondineau, Benjamin Fuchs
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Abstract
The invention concerns an inhomogeneous lens with Maxwell's Fish-eye type gradient index (1), made in the shape of a hemisphere. The invention is characterized in that the lens comprises N hemispheric concentric shells (2 to 4), with different discrete dielectric constants and mutually interlaced without void between the two successive shells, with 3≦N≦20, the discrete dielectric constants of the N shells being such that they define a discrete distribution close to the theoretical distribution of the index inside the lens.
Claims16
Inhomogeneous lens with a gradient index, of the Maxwell's fish-eye type, produced in the form of a semi-sphere, wherein the lens includes N semi-spherical concentric shells, with different discrete dielectric constants overlapping one another without any empty spaces between two successive shells, with 3≦N≦20, wherein the discrete dielectric constants of the N shells are such that they define a discrete distribution approximating the theoretical distribution of the index inside the lens.
A method comprising:
- providing an antenna system, which includes an inhomogeneous lens combined with at least one source antenna, wherein:
- the inhomogeneous lens has a gradient index, of the Maxwell's fish-eye type, produced in the form of a semi-sphere,
- the lens includes N semi-spherical concentric shells, with different discrete dielectric constants overlapping one another without any empty spaces between two successive shells, with 3≦N≦20, wherein the discrete dielectric constants of the N shells are such that they define a discrete distribution approximating the theoretical distribution of the index inside the lens, and
- wherein said lens has a focal spot due to a fact that an index distribution obtained with said concentric shells is discrete, said focal spot being located outside the lens and at a predetermined distance h from the lens, and
- de-centering said at least one source antenna with respect to an axis of the lens, enabling said at least one source antenna to successively occupy at least two different positions contained in said focal spot, so as to allow for scanning, over an angular sector, of the beam focused at an output of the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.