1) An antenna array consists of multiple antenna elements arranged in a configuration to produce a directional radiation pattern. This allows for greater directivity than a single element.
2) A two element array is analyzed, with the total field being the vector sum of the fields from each individual element. In far-field conditions, the array factor is derived which describes the directivity of the array.
3) The array factor depends on the number of elements, the relative excitation (magnitude and phase) of each element, and the spacing between elements. It describes how the fields from each element combine to strengthen in some directions and weaken in others.
1) An antenna array consists of multiple antenna elements arranged in a configuration to produce a directional radiation pattern. This allows for greater directivity than a single element.
2) A two element array is analyzed, with the total field being the vector sum of the fields from each individual element. In far-field conditions, the array factor is derived which describes the directivity of the array.
3) The array factor depends on the number of elements, the relative excitation (magnitude and phase) of each element, and the spacing between elements. It describes how the fields from each element combine to strengthen in some directions and weaken in others.
1) An antenna array consists of multiple antenna elements arranged in a configuration to produce a directional radiation pattern. This allows for greater directivity than a single element.
2) A two element array is analyzed, with the total field being the vector sum of the fields from each individual element. In far-field conditions, the array factor is derived which describes the directivity of the array.
3) The array factor depends on the number of elements, the relative excitation (magnitude and phase) of each element, and the spacing between elements. It describes how the fields from each element combine to strengthen in some directions and weaken in others.
1) An antenna array consists of multiple antenna elements arranged in a configuration to produce a directional radiation pattern. This allows for greater directivity than a single element.
2) A two element array is analyzed, with the total field being the vector sum of the fields from each individual element. In far-field conditions, the array factor is derived which describes the directivity of the array.
3) The array factor depends on the number of elements, the relative excitation (magnitude and phase) of each element, and the spacing between elements. It describes how the fields from each element combine to strengthen in some directions and weaken in others.
Lecture-1 6.1 INTRODUCTION In the previous modules, we have studied individual antenna elements such as dipole, loop, horn etc. and their radiation characteristics were analyzed. The requirement for very directive antenna (for long distance communications, for example) cannot be accomplished by the single element antennas as their radiation pattern is relatively wide. The directivity can be increased by increasing the dimensions of the radiating aperture compared to the wavelength (). This approach leads to mechanical problem and also difficult from fabrication point of view. Another way to increase the electrical size of an antenna is to arrange several antennas in space and interconnect to produce a directional radiation pattern. Such a configuration of multiple radiating elements to synthesize radiation characteristics, not available with a single antenna, is referred to as an array (antenna). Usually, the array elements are identical for simpler design and fabrication. Now-a-days, antenna arrays are becoming increasingly important in wireless communications. Advantages of using antenna array: 1. In an array, provisions can be made to make the fields from individual elements interfere constructively in some directions and cancel in some other directions. 2. They can provide the capability of a steerable beam (radiation direction change) 3. They can provide a high gain (array gain) by using simple antenna elements 4. They provide a diversity gain in multipath signal reception. There are several design variables that can be used to achieve the overall pattern of the array: a) b) c) d) e)
The geometrical configuration of the overall array (linear, circular, spherical, rectangular, etc.) The relative placement of the elements The excitation amplitude of the individual elements The excitation phase of each element. The relative pattern of the individual elements
6.2 TWO ELEMENT ARRAY
Let us assume, that two infinitesimal horizontal dipole antennas positioned along the z-axis (Fig.6.1). The total field of the array is determined by the vector addition of the fields radiated by the individual elements. The electric field pattern in the y-z plane for one element is given by:
jkI o l e jkr sin 4 r
where
sin 1 cos 2 1 sin 2 sin 2
(6.1)
Fig.6.1 Two element antennna array
cos a y ar sin sin For 90 9 o sin 1 sin 2 cos
jkI o l e jkr E cos c 4 r
(6.2)
The total field from thee two elementts is given by
y:
Et E1 E2
j ( kr2 ) j ( kr1 2 )
2 jkI ol e e
cos 1 cos 2 4 r2 r1
is the phase p differen nce of the feed d of the two elements. e
(6.3)
r1, r2 are th he distances to t the observaation points as shown in thhe figure. The far fieeld approxim mation of this two t element array a problem m cab be givenn by (see Fig.. 6.2)
Fig.6.2 Faar-field observ
vation
1 2 d
cos r r
2 forr the phasee term
d r r cos
2 2 r1 r2 r for the amplittude term Then the total t field rad diated by the array a can be expressed e as
Et a j
kI ole jkr cos e j kd cos / 2 e j kdd cos / 2 4r
jkI k ole jkr
kd cos Et cos a 2 cos
r 2
4
sin gle element
rad . pattern
((6.4)
Arra ay Factor ( A. F .)
The total field of the arrray is equal to
t the productt of the field ccreated by a ssingle elemennt located at thhe d a factor whiich is called array a factor (A AF). Thus, foor a two elemeent array of constant ampliitude, origin and the array factor f is
kd cos AF 2 cos c
(6..5)
The normalized AF is expressed as:
kd cos ( AF ) n cos
(6.6)
So, the far field of a uniform two element array of identical elements can be expressed as:
E (total ) E SingleElem ent AF
(6.7)
The concept described in (6.7) is called "pattern multiplication" and it is valid for arrays with any number of identical elements. So each array has its own array factor. The total pattern, therefore, can be controlled via the singleelement pattern or via the AF. The array factor (AF) of an array can be obtained by replacing the actual elements with isotropic sources. The AF, in general, depends on:
Number of elements Relative excitation (magnitudes and phases) Spacing between the elements
