A beam forming antenna device emitting a predetermined free space energy pattern, the device including: an optical signal source having predetermined wavelength characteristics; an optical modulator for modulating predetermined wavelengths of the optical signal source to produce a modulated signal source including frequency sideband components; a dispersion element for spreading and projecting the modulated signal source in a wavelength dependant manner onto a relative phase manipulation element; a relative phase manipulation element manipulating the relative phase of the modulated signal source in a predetermined manner, said phase manipulation element further amplitude modulating predetermined wavelengths of said modulated signal source and outputting a predetermined groupings of wavelengths on a series of output ports; optical to electrical conversion means converting the amplitude of the optical signal on said output ports to a corresponding electrical signal; and a series of irradiating antenna elements connected to each corresponding electrical signal for radiating a corresponding free space signal to substantially produce said predetermined free space energy pattern.