Analysis of finite phase arrays of microstrip patches

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation Vol. 41; no. 8; pp. 1105 - 1114
• Main Authors: Skrivervik, A.K., Mosig, J.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-08-1993; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Antennas; Aperture antennas; Aperture coupled antennas; Applied sciences; Convolution; Current distribution; Exact sciences and technology; Impedance measurement; Microstrip antenna arrays; Microstrip antennas; Periodic structures; Phased arrays; Radiocommunications; Surface waves; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Analysis method; Edge effect; Microwave antenna; Phased array; Microstrip; Green function; Antenna; Reflectance; Step function
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/8.244652

A method for the analysis of large phased arrays of microstrip patches is presented. It is based on an infinite array approach where the edge effects are taken into account through the convolution with a proper window function. In the first step, a rigorous Green's function corresponding to a finite array of elementary sources is derived. This Green's function is then used to analyze the finite phased array of microstrip patches. Results are shown for the active impedance and element patterns of several arrays, and compared with measurements or, in the case of small arrays, with results obtained by a rigorous element-by-element approach. It is shown that the method, even if developed for the analysis of large arrays, is able to handle small arrays. Indeed, the results obtained are good even for single patches. Although the method has been developed for the microstrip phased array case, the results are general and are valid for any phased array with a rectangular grid.< >