Wideband 2-D electronically scanned array with compact CTS feed and MEMS phase shifters

A method of frequency scanning radio frequency energy, comprising the steps of.

• inputting radio frequency (RF) energy into a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array;
• radiating the RF energy through a plurality of CTS radiating elements in the form of a plane wave in the near field;
• emitting the RF plane wave into an input aperture of a wide band feedthrough lens including a plurality of MEMS phase shifter modules;
• converting the RF plane wave into discreet RF signals;
• using the MEMS phase shifter modules to process the RF signals;
• radiating the RF signals through a radiating aperture of the wide band feedthrough lens, thereby recombining the RF signals and forming an antenna beam;
• and,
• varying the frequency of the RF signal inputted into the CTS feed array thereby to change the angular position of the antenna beam in two dimensions and to effect frequency scanning by the antenna beam.