Patent ID: 7714792

Claim:
An array antenna with reflector(s), comprising: i) an array of at least two feeds, including a central feed, arranged and positioned so as to transmit and/or receive beams of electromagnetic waves in chosen directions, ii) beam-forming means arranged to control the amplitude and phase of each of said feeds by means of amplitude/phase laws applied to their ports and to provide an appropriate amplification level, in order for each feed to transmit a chosen radiation pattern, forming a beam and comprising a main lobe, intended to cover a chosen zone, and iii) at least one reflector provided with a surface specifically for reflecting the beams delivered by said feeds and/or intended for said feeds, wherein said surface is shaped three-dimensionally, which takes the form of hollows and bumps placed in chosen locations on said surface so as to reflect the beam delivered by each feed and spread its energy so that it covers the chosen associated zone, that the main lobe of the radiation pattern associated with said central feed defines a so-called primary coverage fully including each active coverage zone of the antenna, of chosen form and dimensions, and that the main lobe of the radiation pattern associated with each non-central feed at least partially overlaps said primary coverage, and said beam-forming means are arranged to apply to the ports of the array of feeds an amplitude and/or phase law chosen such that the combination of the beams delivered by said feeds defines each of said active coverage zones.