Hybrid antenna including a dielectric lens and planar feed

A method of forming a hybrid antenna system, comprising the steps of:

• determining a theoretical limit of focus of a dielectric lens;
• shaping and locating said dielectric lens beyond the theoretical limit of what the dielectric lens can focus, such that the dielectric lens does not focus input beams but instead radiates the input beams at its diffraction limit to effectively perform as an aperture radiating element;
• and
• forming a planar antenna part adjacent said dielectric lens in a location to receive radiation from the dielectric lens.

A hybrid antenna system, comprising:

• a dielectric lens, having a diffraction limit, shaped and positioned such that every beam impinging thereon is outside the diffraction limit thereof and beyond the theoretical limit of what the dielectric lens can focus, such that the dielectric lens radiates, rather than focusing, information corresponding to the beam;
• and
• a planar log-spiral antenna part, including two spiral arms, and a detector in a central portion thereof, said planar log-spiral antenna part located adjacent said dielectric lens and receiving radiation radiated by said dielectric lens;
• wherein said planar log-spiral antenna includes two IF ports, respectively at ends of said arms of said planar log-spiral antenna.

A hybrid antenna system, comprising:

• a dielectric lens;
• and
• a planar antenna adjacent to said dielectric lens, wherein said planar antenna is a log-spiral antenna with arms and which includes two IF ports at ends of said arms of said planar log-spiral antenna;
• wherein said dielectric lens is formed of an extension length D large enough to just reach its diffraction-limited region and to transform said dielectric lens into a radiating antenna.