A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.