Near Hemispherical Passive Beam Steering using 3D Modified Partial Maxwell Fisheye Lens

Abstract

This study presents the design and fabrication of an ultra-wide-angle beam-steering graded dielectric lens using innovative principles and additive manufacturing techniques. The lens demonstrates remarkable performance with a boresight realized gain of 23 dBi and notable beam steering capabilities spanning from -80° to 80°, accompanied by a modest gain roll-off of less than 10 dB over a wide frequency range. The lens design is based on an optimized modification of the Partial Maxwell Fisheye (PMFE) lens, resulting in a fully manufacturable 3D dielectric lens. Additive manufacturing, specifically Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is employed to overcome challenges associated with fabricating the lens's complex geometry. Material constraints are addressed by utilizing a high dielectric filament to meet the design requirements. The design methodology incorporates a novel polar space-filling curve (PSFC) to achieve the desired gradient profile. Rigorous simulations and experimental verification confirm the effectiveness of the design, representing the first 3D implementation of a PMFE-type lens. This research demonstrates the feasibility and potential applications of an ultra-wide-angle passive beam-steering dielectric lens.