Wide angle phased array dome lens antenna with a reflection/transmission switch

An antenna assembly configured by the combination of the high forward gain of a conventional planar phased array antenna with the wide angle scanning capability of a dome antenna is described. The invention includes an optically fed phased array, which may be structurally configured similar to a conventional lens array, but comprises a reflection/transmission switch and an electronic phase shifter at each radiating element. The switches facilitate operation of the phased array in two distinct modes; when the switches are set for the transmission mode, the phased array operates substantially as a conventional lens array to scan a + or - 60 deg conical sector; when the switches are set for the reflection mode, the phased array behaves like a reflect array to scan an additional + or - 60 deg to + or - 20 deg sector.