Array-Fed Partially Reflective Surface Antenna With Independent Scanning and Beamwidth Dynamic Control

In this communication we present a concept of a partially reflective surface (PRS) antenna capable of independent beam-scanning and beamwidth dynamic control. The beamwidth is controlled by reconfiguring the PRS reflectivity via embedded varactor diodes, while the beam is steered by using a small phased array in the H-plane as a source antenna exciting the Fabry-Pérot cavity. A fully operational prototype is fabricated and measured upon reconfiguration, demonstrating the viability of the concept and good agreement between simulated and measured results. The achieved beamwidth variation is from 18.7° to 22.4°, with the scanning range of 15° and 20° for the narrowest and the widest beamwidth, respectively.