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Abstract

A deployable phased-array-of-reflectors antenna includes individual reflectors and feed arrays. Each feed array is disposed above a corresponding individual reflector. The individual reflector antennas are preferably disposed adjacent to one another (e.g., on a hexagonal lattice) to form a phased array antenna using the individual reflectors antennas as elements. Phase and amplitude control electronics are coupled to each reflector antenna to provide steering for the signal energy coupled between the reflectors and the feed arrays. Switching electronics are coupled to the feed arrays and selectively activate and deactivate beam forming clusters of feeds in the feed arrays. A method for generating a steerable antenna pattern couples signal energy through a beamforming section to form steered signal energy. Next, the method couples the steered signal energy between a phased array of reflector antennas. The method selectively activates a first feed cluster for a first reflector, a second feed cluster for a second reflector, and so on, until feed clusters are activated in all of the reflectors in the array. The method then couples the steered signal energy between the first and second feed clusters. The method subsequently activates and deactivates the feed clusters to reduce the impact of grating lobes in the total antenna pattern, or when a particular cluster attenuation has been reached.

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