A feed network for multibeam triangular grid and hexagonal shape planar array antennas

A simple and compact network scheme for feeding a hexagonal shape planar array to produce simultaneous multiple beams is presented. Linear multiple beam forming networks are directly connected row-wise and then column-wise in an egg-crate fashion to feed the array. All the linear networks are identical which is advantageous for low-cost implementation. The resultant beams are distributed in U-V space on a triangular grid that is rotated 90° from that of the element grid. Performance and characteristics of such an array architecture using a wide band Rotman lens network to feed a horn array are given here