Source: from Federal Standard 1037C The scope of beam-steering technologies has broadened significantly with innovations that serve both traditional applications and emerging demands in fields such as satellite communication, radar, and 5G networks.
These designs serve as high-gain, planar alternatives with advantages in cost, efficiency, and scalability, meeting modern requirements for compact and lightweight systems.
One of the latest approaches in beam steering involves Near-Field Meta-Steering (NFMS),[6] which uses phase-gradient metasurfaces placed in close proximity to a feed antenna.
This method achieves 3D beam steering by employing compact structures that allow wide-angle control over both elevation and azimuth, proving highly effective for systems where space and profile height are restricted.
Satellite-based communication systems, for example, require dual-band beam-steering capabilities to handle uplink and downlink data streams simultaneously.