Patent ID: 7889127

Claim:
A phased array antenna system, comprising: a sheet of conductive material; a plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material, wherein each of the plurality of aperture antenna elements is capable of sending and receiving electromagnetic energy; and a wide angle impedance match (WAIM) layer of material disposed over the plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material, wherein the WAIM layer of material comprises a plurality of metamaterial particles, wherein the plurality of metamaterial particles are selected and arranged to optimize an impedance match between the phased array antenna system and free space to permit scanning of the phased array antenna system up to a predetermined angle in elevation, wherein the plurality of metamaterial particles comprise: a magnetic metamaterial particle that provide a predetermined magnetic response when energized; and electric metamaterial particles that provide a predetermined electrical response when energized, wherein the magnetic metamaterial particles and the electric metamaterial particles are arranged and designed in a predetermined pattern to optimize an impedance match between the phased array antenna system and free space to permit scanning of the phased array antenna system up to the predetermined angle in elevation.