This work presents a lens-based antenna array that can continuously scan a directive beam with a two-way half power beamwidth (HPBW) of the order of 1° for automotive radar applications. The lens array is optimized to perform continuous beam steering in a 20° field of view (FoV), when fed using beamforming techniques that control the amplitude and phase of the array elements. A computational model for deriving the optimal weights is developed, based on a bidirectional ray-tracing methodology that accounts for the antenna radiation characteristics. To further enhance antenna performance, key design parameters including inter-element spacing, vertical displacement, and lens geometry are optimized to reduce grating lobes and mitigate scan loss. The proposed design is validated through full-wave electromagnetic simulations and experimental measurements in D-band on a fabricated 1×4 lens array prototype, with a 1×4 antenna array in-package exciting each lens. The results demonstrate high gain and effective beam steering within the desired FoV, confirming the viability of the approach for high-resolution remote sensing applications in the sub-THz band.

In this work, we investigate antenna architectures to implement dual-mode operation in phased array designs. Planar slot antenna elements are used in array configuration, in combination with artificial dielectrics layers (ADLs) located in the close proximity of the array, to achieve pattern shaping. The artificial dielectric superstrate supports the propagation of leaky waves that can be optimized to enhance the gain in a specific angular region or to enlarge the array field of view. By controlling the amplitude and phase of the antenna elements, the radiation patterns can be combined to realize either wide or narrow beams. This concept present advantages for both millimeter-wave (mm-wave) communication and radar applications. A design of a four-element array fabricated in standard printed circuit board (PCB) technology validates the feasibility of the dual-mode operation. The measured results also show good agreement with simulations.