use of controlled waveguide mode mixing the power distribution within a waveguide can be shaped controlled waveguide mode mixing can be achieved by controlling the propagation parameters of the multiple propagating modes relative to one another the propagation parameters can include for example the relative phase difference between modes the relative amplitude of modes the polarization of the electric field of modes the physical orientation of the electric fields of modes as well as the propagation frequency of modes the rf beam energy resulting from the mixing of modes in waveguide can be directionally steered in other words the peak energy distribution of the electric field at the open end of the waveguide can be controlled and steered away from the center of the waveguide for radar and communications applications it is possible to use controlled waveguide mode mixing to steer an antenna beam off of the boresight axis of a reflector antenna the directed beam energy can then be steered electronically without physically moving the antenna the limited amount of electronic beam steering offers many advantages in a single dish radar system such as fine tuned beam pointing and target centering those of skill in the art should also recognize that electronic beam steering can also be useful in communications systems in order to receive or transmit a stronger signal from an off boresight source fig1 illustrates antenna beam steering.