Scanning Lens Phased Array for Submillimeter Wavelengths

In this contribution, we propose a hybrid electromechanical scanning antenna array architecture suitable for highly directive phased arrays at submillimeter wavelengths with field-of-views (FoV) of+/-30 degrees. The concept relies on combining electrical phase shifting of a sparse array with a mechanical translation of an array of lenses. The use of a sparse phased array significantly simplifies the RF front-end, while the translation of a lens array steers the element patterns to angles off-broadside, reducing the impact of grating lobes over a wide FoV. The mechanical movement of the lens array can be done using a low-weight, low-power piezo-actuator. In order to achieve wide bandwidth and steering angles, a novel leaky wave feed concept is also introduced. A 540 GHz prototype is currently under fabrication.