Dual mode switched beam antenna

A multiple mode antenna system comprising:

• means for deploying a first number of antenna elements in a first predetermined configuration, wherein a first inter-element spacing of said first predetermined configuration is compressed as compared to a corresponding typical phased array configuration of said first number of antenna elements, and wherein said first inter-element spacing is selected at least in part to provide an antenna beam substantially meeting first desired operating attributes using a first beam former consistent with said corresponding typical phased array configuration of said first number of antenna elements, wherein said first desired operating attributes include a first angle and a first beam width of a first antenna beam associated with a first mode of said multiple modes;
• and
• means for deploying a second number of antenna elements in a second predetermined configuration, wherein a second inter-element spacing of said second predetermined configuration is selected at least in part to provide an antenna beam substantially meeting a second desired operating attributes, and wherein ones of said second number of antenna elements are interspersed with ones of said first number of antenna elements, wherein said selecting second desired operating attributes include a second angle and a second beam width of a second antenna beam associated with a second mode of said multiple modes.

A multiple mode antenna system comprising:

• first beam forming circuitry having at least one A interface associated with a first antenna beam and a plurality of B interfaces having a plurality of phase progressions associated therewith, wherein said first antenna beam is associated with a first mode of said multiple modes;
• second beam forming circuitry having at least one A interface associated with a second antenna beam and a plurality of B interfaces having a plurality of phase progressions associated therewith, wherein said second antenna beam is associated with a second mode of said multiple modes;
• a first plurality of antenna elements ones of which are coupled to one of said B interfaces of said first beam forming circuitry, wherein said plurality of phase progressions are consistent with forming antenna beams more narrow than said first antenna beam, and wherein each of the first plurality of antenna elements which are coupled to different ones of said B interfaces of said first beam forming circuitry are spaced a first distance, from a next adjacent one of the first plurality of antenna elements which are coupled to different ones of said B interfaces, determined to provide said first antenna beam with a desired beam width using said first phase progression;
• and
• a second plurality of antenna elements ones of which are coupled to one of said B interfaces of said second beam forming circuitry, wherein ones of said second plurality of antenna elements are interspersed with ones of said first plurality of antenna elements.

A method for providing a dual mode antenna system, said method comprising:

• disposing a first plurality of antenna element columns in a plane a predetermined distance from a ground plane, wherein said first plurality of antenna element columns have a substantially consistent first inter-column spacing;
• coupling a first beam forming circuit to ones of said first plurality of antenna element columns, wherein said first beam forming circuit provides antenna signal weighting consistent with inter-column spacing greater than said first inter-column spacing;
• disposing a second plurality of antenna element columns in said plane said predetermined distance from said ground plane, wherein said second plurality of antenna element columns have a substantially consistent second inter-column spacing, wherein said second inter-column spacing is less than ½ said first inter-column spacing, and wherein said second plurality of antenna element columns are interspersed with said first plurality of antenna element columns such that at least two columns of said second plurality of antenna element columns are disposed between adjacent pairs of said first plurality of antenna element columns;
• and
• coupling a second beam forming circuit to ones of said second plurality of antenna element columns, wherein said second beam forming circuit provides antenna signal weighting consistent with inter-column spacing greater than said second inter-column spacing.