Workshop on Multibeam Antennas and Beamforming Networks

Multi-Beam Antennas (MBAs) find application in several fields including wireless and satellite communications, RADARs for electronic surveillance and remote sensing, science (e.g. radio telescopes), RF navigation systems, etc. Beam-Forming Networks (BFNs) play an essential role in any antenna system relaying on a set of radiating elements to generate a beam. Depending mainly on the antenna mission (i.e. operational frequency, pattern requirements, transmitting and/or receiving functionality, number of beams to be generated, etc.) different MBA architectures may be selected: from antenna systems completely based on independent feeds illuminating a number of reflectors, to hybrid systems based on both arrays and reflectors, from phased arrays to lens antennas. The trade-off on the antenna solution largely involves the BFN interconnectivity and flexibility requirements, with a wide range of applicable BFN architectures with different complexity and performance. The objective of the course is to present design principles and state-of-the-art in MBAs and BFNs.