Hedgehog Shell: Multibeam DRA with 2-D Beamsteering for mm-Wave Applications

This paper investigates a low-cost method to form a multibeam antenna with 2-D beamsteering capability. The simple feeding method employed in this solution enables the dielectric rod antennas to generate multiple beams in the intended direction simultaneously. In this manner, a multi-fixed-beam system is created without the need for a beamforming unit, which reduces the complexity of the final system architecture. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the dielectric rod is performed, taking into account variations in critical design parameters and the permittivity of the rod. Different fabrication methods and low-loss materials that can be used for rod manufacturing are introduced, and the permittivity of these materials is characterized using the Nicolson-Ross-Weir (NRW) method. By doing so, our study not only presents a practical multibeam antenna formulation strategy but also reports appropriate materials and manufacturing processes that can be employed in the manufacturing of rod antennas.