System and method for per beam elevation scanning

A method for providing independent adjustable elevation scanning for antenna beams of a multibeam array, wherein said array includes a plurality of antenna elements divisible as a first sub-group and a second sub-group, said method comprising the steps of:

• coupling a first signal path to said first and second sub-groups of antenna elements, wherein said first signal path is associated with a first antenna beam of said array;
• introducing a first phase differential between signals associated with said first and second sub-groups of antenna elements;
• coupling a second signal path to said first and second sub-groups of antenna elements, wherein said second signal path is associated with a second antenna beam of said array:
• and
• introducing a second phase differential between signals associated with said first and second sub-groups of antenna elements.

An antenna system providing a plurality of antenna beams adapted to provide independently selectable down-tilt for ones of said plurality of antenna beams, said system comprising:

• an array of antenna elements, wherein said array includes a plurality of antenna element columns, ones of said columns including a plurality of antenna elements;
• a first beam forming matrix coupled to antenna elements of said array;
• a second beam forming matrix coupled to antenna elements of said array, wherein said first and second beam forming matrixes are each coupled to different antenna elements of said columns including a plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• a first phase adjusting circuit coupled to said second beam forming matrix, wherein said phase adjusting circuit alters a phase of a first signal associated with said second beam forming matrix a predetermined amount with respect to a first signal associated with said first beam forming matrix thereby providing elevation scanning of a first antenna beam of said plurality of antenna beams.

An antenna array providing aperture tapering for side lobe level control, said antenna comprising:

• a ground plane;
• a plurality of antenna element columns each of which includes a same number of antenna elements, wherein said plurality of antenna columns are disposed substantially parallel to and in close proximity to said ground plane;
• a plurality of antenna column feed buses each associated with an antenna element column of said plurality, wherein said ground plane is disposed between said plurality of feed buses and an associated one of said antenna element columns, and wherein ones of said feed buses have a dielectric material disposed between the feed bus and the ground plane thereby defining dielectric line buses and other ones of said feed buses have an air space disposed between the feed bus and the ground plane thereby defining air line buses, and wherein the antenna elements of the antenna element columns associated with said dielectric line buses have an inter column element spacing less than that of the antenna elements of the antenna element columns associated with said air line buses;
• and
• a beam forming matrix coupled to said plurality of feed buses, wherein substantially a same power level signal is applied by said beam forming matrix to each of said plurality of antenna element columns when energized.

A phased antenna array providing a plurality of antenna beams adapted to provide independently selectable down-tilt for ones of said plurality of antenna beams, said array comprising:

• a ground plane having a plurality of passages disposed therein, wherein said passages define a gridded surface of said ground plane;
• an array of antenna elements, wherein said array includes a plurality of antenna element columns, ones of said columns including a plurality of said antenna elements, and wherein said plurality of antenna columns are disposed substantially parallel to and in close proximity to said ground plane;
• a plurality of antenna column feed buses each associated with an antenna element column of said plurality, wherein said ground plane is disposed between said plurality of feed buses and an associated one of said antenna element columns, and wherein ones of said feed buses have a dielectric material disposed between the feed bus and the ground plane;
• a first beam forming matrix coupled to ones of the plurality of feed buses;
• a second beam forming matrix coupled to other ones of the plurality of feed buses, wherein said first and second beam forming matrixes are each coupled to different antenna elements of said columns including a plurality of antenna elements;
• and
• a first phase adjusting circuit coupled to said second beam forming matrix, wherein said phase adjusting circuit alters a phase of a first signal associated with said second beam forming matrix a predetermined amount with respect to a first signal associated with said first beam forming matrix thereby providing elevation scanning of a first antenna beam of said plurality of antenna beams.