An Optimized design for Luneburg Lens Scanning Antenna using PIN diodes for Beam-Switching

Abstract

The Luneburg lens scanning antenna is optimized and is evaluated with two backing ground planes. The
beam of the antenna is scanned as in a full or hemispherical lens antenna. The antenna weight is halved relative to the
hemispherical lens as quarter of the lens is used. Simulations are conducted indicating a negligible scanning loss in both
the antenna principle planes. Lens design with electronic beam-switching using PIN diodes as switching element has
been proposed reducing the cost and complexity. Each switching state can be obtained by forward biasing one half of the
diodes when the other half is reverse biased.