Patent ID: 7283102

Claim:
An antenna system that forms a directional beam radiation pattern, comprising: an upper metallic plate that has a first flange, the first flange functioning as an upper portion of a continuous radiating aperture; a lower metallic plate that has a second flange, the second flange functioning as a lower portion of the continuous radiating aperture; a ground plane that comprises a circular metallic structure, the ground plane being approximately symmetrically located at a center of a radial constrained lens, the radial constrained lens formed by the upper metallic plate and the lower metallic plate; at least one feed array comprising a plurality of feed elements, the plurality of feed elements being physically coupled to at least one of the plates; and a spacer that electrically isolates the upper plate and the lower plate so that a central portion of the upper plate and the lower plate form a section of radial waveguide, the section of radial waveguide coupling electromagnetic energy between the at least one feed array and the continuous radiating aperture.