The "len-tenna" physical optics and beam former design as converging disciplines

We are witnessing an astonishing growth in technologies related to the expansion of beam former hardware to higher frequencies, larger apertures, and wider fractional bandwidths. At the same time we are seeing, as a result of MEMS and nanotechnology, the development of optical systems that are looking curiously like phased arrays. In this paper we explore the similarities between optics and antenna design as employed in radar systems. We will see that many principles of optics can be viewed using beam-forming concepts familiar to radar engineers. We will discuss Fresnel lenses, subspace, and near field beam formers.