An approach for electronically performing beam steering is disclosed. For electronic scanning, an n-bit quantized phase shifting approach is employed at each array element of a phased array antenna. By applying an initial phase bias, either deterministically or randomly, in each of the array elements, the performance of a phased array with n-bit quantization (even with n=2) approaches the performance of a system with no quantization. This approach can be used with linearly polarized or circularly polarized waves. For circularly polarized waves, the 2n phase shifts required of n-bit quantization are achieved in a manner that provides a simple, low-loss construction, which allows production of a low-cost reflectarray or a flat-plate lens.