Patent attributes
An antenna array having radiating elements and delay lines provided over a sandwich of layers that includes variable dielectric-constant material. The value of the variable dielectric-constant material at various points over the antenna is controlled via software, hence changing the operational characteristics of the antenna using software. The sandwich of layers may be a standard flat panel display, wherein images depicted on the flat panel display are software controlled with a program designed to change the dielectric constant, thus providing scanning and tuning ability to the array. That is, different images are programmed according to specifically desired change in the dielectric property of different pixels under different patches or feed-lines of the array, thereby controlling the frequency and/or directivity of the array.