LENSED BASE STATION ANTENNAS HAVING FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES THAT PROVIDE A STEP APPROXIMATION OF A LUNEBERG LENS

A lensed base station antenna includes a first array of radiating elements that are configured to transmit respective sub-components of a first RF signal and an RF lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from a first of the radiating elements. The RF lens includes a lens casing, an RF energy focusing material within the lens casing and a first heat dissipation element that extends through the RF energy focusing material. The RF lens is configured to be at least a three step approximation of a Luneberg lens along a bore sight pointing direction of the first of the radiating elements.