An equal group delay waveguide lens

Abstract

Analytical and experimental results are presented on a circularly polarized waveguide lens that has much greater bandwidth than conventional waveguide lenses. This is achieved by designing the lens to have equal group delay for all rays from the focal point of the lens to the aperture plane. Haft-wave-plate phase shifters in each waveguide element are then oriented to produce a planar phase front. This results in a lens whose aperture phase distribution remains essentially constant over a much wider frequency range than in conventional waveguide lenses. A comparison with a minimum thickness conventional lens and with a phase compensated (Coulbourn) lens is made. A 46-in X band lens was built and tested over a frequency range from 7-9 GHz to confirm the bandwidth performance.