An efficient, low-loss, low sidelobe, high dynamic range phased-array radar antenna
system is disclosed that uses metamaterials, which are manmade composite materials
having a negative index of refraction, to create a biconcave lens architecture
(instead of the aforementioned biconvex lens) for focusing the microwaves transmitted
by the antenna. Accordingly, the sidelobes of the antenna are reduced. Attenuation
across microstrip transmission lines may be reduced by using low loss transmission
lines that are suspended above a ground plane a predetermined distance in a way
such they are not in contact with a solid substrate. By suspending the microstrip
transmission lines in this manner, dielectric signal loss is reduced significantly,
thus resulting in a less-attenuated signal at its destination.