Variable beamwidth array for wireless communications

This paper presents a new concept of a variable beamwidth array, which allows continuously variable beamwidth in the azimuth plane for adaptive sectorization in wireless communications. The variable beamwidth array (VBA) is based on the proposed principle of two-ring array. The concept is implemented using three independent linear arrays arranged on two cylindrical surfaces. The position of the center column can be linearly displaced in the direction away from or toward the antenna phase center by using a remote controlled mechanism. This relative spatial displacement between the center column and the edge columns produces phase offset between the antenna elements and results in varying beamwdith in the azimuth beam pattern. The azimuth HPBW can be broaden as the center column is moved away from the phase center of the array in relative to the two edge columns. Continuous variation of HPBW from 33 deg and to over 100 deg is feasible with a total relative displacement of less than 3 cm for the operating frequencies between 1.7 GHz and 2.2 GHz.