The hourglass scanner--A new rapid scan, large aperture antenna

A new wide aperture, rapid scan antenna , termed the hourglass scanner, is described. A novel adaptation of the Wullenweber array, the hourglass scanner antenna provides for a large aperture by combining a shaped reflector in the vertical plane with a circularly disposed feed array in the horizontal plane. Rapid scanning is achieved through rotation of a small noncontacting r-f commutator. A unique feed array provides for four independent beams each covering adjacent 2 to 1 frequency bands.