Broadband/multiband conformal circular beam-steering array

A new approach for a broadband/multiband conformal circular beam-steering array is presented with essential experimental data. The array is low-profile, suitable for conformal mounting on a platform. It has an omnidirectional coverage with a unidirectional beam that generally aims at a moderate directivity of 6 to 15 dBi. It consists of a center driven element and parasitic surface waveguide elements in the periphery for beam steering. This array can achieve ultra-wideband multiband performance and low-profile conformability unattainable by conventional array approaches. In addition, its cost is an order of magnitude lower than that of conventional beam-steering array. At present, its broadband/multiband performance is only limited by its surface waveguide elements since its driven element has achieved continuous 10:1 bandwidth.