A microfluidically switched feed network for beam-scanning focal plane arrays

A microfluidically switched feed network is designed for beam-scanning focal plane arrays by utilizing a selectively metallized plate within the microfluidic channel. As compared to the prior work that microfluidically repositioned a patch antenna element behind the lens for beam-scanning, the presented feed network approach is shown to provide higher efficiency and bandwidth performance. The design is carried out at Ka-Band (30 GHz) for an aperture coupled patch antenna array located at the focal plane of an extended hemispherical dielectric lens.