UNIT-3

ANTENNA ARRAYS

1. What is the necessity of an array? Explain the three different

types of array with regard to beam pointing direction?

Ans:

Antenna Array
This is one of the common methods of combining the radiations from a
group of similar antennas in which the wave-interference phenomenon is
involved. The field strength can be increased in preferred directions by
properly exciting group or array of antennas simultaneously, such as
arrangement is known as antenna array. Array of antenna is
arrangement, of several individual antennas so spaced and phased that
their individual contributions coming in one preferred direction and
cancel in all other directions, which will be going to increase the
directivity of the system.
The different types of arrays with regard to beam pointing direction are
as follows,
1. Broadside array.
2. End fire array.
3. Collinear array.

1. Broadside Array

Broadside array is one of the most commonly used antenna array in

practice. The array in which a number of identical parallel antennas are
arranged along a line perpendicular to the line of array axis is known as
broadside array, which is shown in figure (2.1). In this, the individual
antennas are equally spaced along a line and each element is fed with
current of equal magnitude, all in the same phase.
The radiation pattern of broadside array is bidirectional, which radiates
equally well in either direction of maximum radiation.
RADIATION PATTERN:

Figure shows an end view of two parallel half-wave antennas

(A and B) operating in the same phase and located 1/2 wavelength apart.
At a point (P) far removed from the antennas, the antennas appear as a
single point. Energy radiating toward P from antenna A starts out in
phase with the energy radiating from antenna B in the same direction.
Propagation from each antenna travels over the same distance to point P,
arriving there in phase. The antennas reinforce each other in this
direction, making a strong signal available at P. Field strength measured
at P is greater than it would be if the total power supplied to both
antennas had been fed to a single dipole. Radiation toward point P1 is
built up in the same manner.

Figure - Parallel elements in phase.

Next consider a wave front traveling toward point Q from antenna B. By

the time it reaches antenna A, 1/2 wavelength away, 1/2 cycle has
elapsed. Therefore energy from antenna B meets the energy from
antenna A 180 degrees out of phase. As a result, the energy moving
toward point Q from the two sources cancels. In a like manner, radiation
from antenna a traveling toward point Q1 meets and cancels the
radiation in the same direction from antenna B. As a result, little
propagation takes place in either direction along the QQ1 axis. Most of
the energy is concentrated in both directions along the PP1 axis. When
both antenna elements are fed from the same source, the result is the
basic broadside array.

When more than two elements are used in a broadside arrangement, they
are all parallel and in the same plane, as shown in figure 4-26, view B.
Current phase, indicated by the arrows, must be the same for all
elements. The radiation pattern shown in figure 4-26, view C, is always
bidirectional. This pattern is sharper than the one shown in figure 4-27
because of the additional two elements. Directivity and gain depend on
the number of elements and the spacing between them.

GAIN AND DIRECTIVITY:

The physical disposition of dipoles operated broadside to

each other allows for much greater coupling between them than can
occur between collinear elements. Moving the parallel antenna elements
closer together or farther apart affects the actual impedance of the entire
array and the overall radiation resistance as well. As the spacing
between broadside elements increases, the effect on the radiation pattern
is a sharpening of the major lobes. When the array consists of only two
dipoles spaced exactly 1/2 wavelength apart, no minor lobes are
generated at all. Increasing the distance between the elements beyond
that point, however, tends to throw off the phase relationship between
the original current in one element and the current induced in it by the
other element. The result is that, although the major lobes are sharpened,
minor lobes are introduced, even with two elements. These, however,
are not large enough to be of concern.

If you add the same number of elements to both a broadside array and a
collinear array, the gain of the broadside array will be greater. Reduced
radiation resistance resulting from the efficient coupling between dipoles
accounts for most of this gain. However, certain practical factors limit
the number of elements that may be used. The construction problem
increases with the number of elements, especially when they are
polarized horizontally.

2. End Fire Array

The array in which a number of identical antennas are spaced equally
along a line and individual elements are fed with currents of unequal
phases (i.e., with a phase shift of 180°) is known as end fire array .This
array is similar to that of broadside array except that individual elements
are fed in with, a phase shift of 180 .In this, the direction of radiation is
coincides with the direction of the array axis, which is shown in figure

The radiation pattern of end fire array is unidirectional. But, the end fire
array may be bidirectional also. One such example is a two element
array, fed with equal current, 180° out of phase.

RADIATION PATTERN:

The radiation pattern for a pair of parallel half-wave elements fed

180 degrees out of phase is shown in figure view A. The elements
shown are spaced 1/2 wavelength apart. In practice, smaller spacing’s
are used. Radiation from elements L and M traveling toward point P
begins 180 degrees out of phase. Moving the same distance over
approximately parallel paths, the respective wave fronts from these
elements remain 180 degrees out of phase. In other words, maximum
cancellation takes place in the direction of P. The same condition is true
for the opposite direction (toward P1). The P to P1 axis is the line of
least radiation for the end-fire array.

Consider what happens along the QQ1 axis. Energy radiating from
element M toward Q reaches element L in about 1/2 cycle (180 degrees)
after it leaves its source. Since element L was fed 180 degrees out of
phase with element M, the wave fronts are now in the same phase and
are both moving toward Q reinforcing each other. Similar reinforcement
occurs along the same axis toward Q1. This simultaneous movement
towards Q and Q1 develops a bidirectional pattern. This is not always
true in end-fire operation. Another application of the end-fire principle is
one in which the elements are spaced 1/4 wavelength apart and phased
90 degrees from each other to produce a unidirectional pattern.

In figure 4-29, view a, elements A and B are perpendicular to the plane

represented by the page; therefore, only the ends of the antennas appear.
In view B the antennas are rotated a quarter of a circle in space around
the QQ1 axis so that they are seen in the plane of the elements
themselves. Therefore, the PP1 axis, now perpendicular to the page, is
not seen as a line. The RR1 axis, now seen as a line, is perpendicular to
the PP1 axis as well as to the QQ1 axis. The end-fire array is directional
in this plane also, although not quite as sharply. The reason for the
greater broadness of the lobes can be seen by following the path of
energy radiating from the midpoint of element B toward point S in view
B. This energy passes the A element at one end after traveling slightly
more than the perpendicular distance between the dipoles. Energy,
therefore, does not combine in exact phase toward point S. Although
maximum radiation cannot take place in this direction, energy from the
two sources combines closely enough in phase to produce considerable
reinforcement. A similar situation exists for wave fronts traveling
toward T. However, the wider angle from Q to T produces a greater
phase difference and results in a decrease in the strength of the
combined wave.

Directivity occurs from either one or both ends of the end-fire array,
along the axis of the array, as shown by the broken arrows in figure 4-
28, view A; hence, the term end-fire is used

The major lobe or lobes occur along the axis of the array. The pattern is
sharper in the plane that is at right angles to the plane containing the
elements (figure 4-29, view A). If the elements are not exact half-wave
dipoles, operation is not significantly affected. However, because of the
required balance of phase relationships and critical feeding, the array
must be symmetrical. Folded dipoles, such as the one shown in figure 4-
20, view A, are used frequently because the impedance at their terminals
is higher. This is an effective way of avoiding excessive antenna losses.
Another expedient to reduce losses is the use of tubular elements of wide
diameter.

GAIN AND DIRECTIVITY. - In end-fire arrays, directivity increases

with the addition of more elements and with spacing’s approaching the
optimum. The directive pattern for a two-element, bidirectional system
is illustrated in figure 4-29. View a shows radiation along the array axis
in a plane perpendicular to the dipoles, and view B shows radiation
along the array axis in the plane of the elements. These patterns were
developed with a 180-degree phase difference between the elements.
Additional elements introduce small, minor lobes.

With a 90-degree phase difference in the energy fed to a pair of end-fire

elements spaced approximately 1/4 wavelength apart, unidirectional
radiation can be obtained. The pattern perpendicular to the plane of the
two elements is shown in figure 4-30, view A. The pattern shown in
view B, taken in the same plane, is for a six-element array with 90-
degree phasing between adjacent elements. Since both patterns show
relative gain only, the increase in gain produced by the six-element array
is not evident. End-fire arrays are the only unidirectional arrays wholly
made up of driven elements.
3. Collinear Array

The array in which antennas are arranged end to end in a single

line is known as collinear array.Figure shows the arrangement of
collinear array, in which one antenna is stacked over another antenna.
Similar to that of broadside array, the individual elements of the
collinear array are fed with equal in phase currents. A collinear array is a
broadside radiator, in which the direction of maximum radiation is
perpendicular to the line of antenna. The collinear array is sometimes
called as broadcast or Omni directional arrays because its radiation
pattern has circular symmetry with its main to be everywhere
perpendicular to the principal axis.
2. Derive the field components and draw the field pattern for two
point source with spacing of λ/2 and fed with current of equal n
magnitude but out of phase by 1800?

Ans:

Arrays of two point sources with equal amplitude and opposite

phase:

In this, point source 1 is out of phase or opposite phase (180°) to

source 2 i.e. when there is maximum in source 1 at one particular
instant, and then there is minimum in source 2 at that instant and
Vice-versa. Referring to Figure the total far field at distant point P, is
given by
E = (-Ei e - φ j / 2) + (+ E 2 e + φ i / 2)
But E1=E2=E0 (say)
Then E= E0 2j (ejw/2-e-jw/2/2)

E=2jE0 sinφ/2……………. (1.1a)

Let d = λ/2 and 2E0 j = 1
Enorm, = sin (π/2 COS θ) …………………….. (1.2)
Maximum directions: Maximum value of sine function is ± 1
Sin (π/2 cosθ) = ± 1
(П/2 cosθmax) = ± (2 n + 1) n / 2 where n = 0, 1, 2
(Cosθmax) = ± 1 if n = 0
Θmax= 0° and 180°…………….. (1.3 a)
Minima directions: Minimum value of a sine function is 0
Sin (π/2 cosθ) = 0
Π/2 cosθmin = ± nπ where n = 0, 1, 2……..
COS θmin = 0
Therefore θmin= 90° and -90° ……………….. (1.3b)
Half power point directions:
Sin (П /2 cosθ) = ± 1/√2
П/2 cosθHPPD = ± (2 n + 1) π/4
П/2 cosθHPPD = ± π / 4 i f n = 0
CosθHPPD = ± 1/2
ΘHPPD = 60°, ± 120° ………………………… (1.3c)
From these, it is possible to draw the field pattern which is as shown in
Figure

It is seen that maxima have shifted 90° along X-axis in comparison to

in-phase field pattern. The figure is horizontal figure of 8 and 3-
dimensional space pattern is obtained by rotating it along X -axis.
Once the arrangement gives maxima along line joining the two sources
and hence this is one of the simplest type o f "End fire" 'Array.

3. Explain the principal of pattern multiplication .What is the effect

of earth of radiation pattern of antennas?

Ans:
Multiplication of Patterns:
The total field pattern of an array of non-isotropic but similar sources is
the multiplication of the individual source pattern and the pattern of an
array of isotropic point sources each located at the phase centre of
individual source and having the relative amplitude and phase, where as
the total phase patterns is the addition of the phase pattern of the
individual sources and the array of isotropic point sources. Total field by
an array is defined as
E = { E0(θ,φ) x Ei(θ,φ)} x { Epi(θ,φ)+ Epa(θ,φ) }
= (Multiplication of field patterns) (Addition of phase patterns)
Where
E - Total field
E0 (θ, φ) = Field pattern of individual source
Ei (θ, φ) = Field pattern of array of isotropic point source
Epi (θ, φ) = Phase pattern of individual source
EPA (θ, φ) = Phase pattern of array of isotropic point sources.
Hence, θ and φ are polar and azimuth angles respectively.
The principle of multiplication of pattern is best suited for any number
of similar sources. Considering a two dimensional case, the resulting
pattern is given by the equation,
E = 2 E0 cosφ /2
E =2 E1 sinθ cosφ /2.
E = E (θ) cosφ /2
It can be seen that E0 is a function of E (θ). In the above equation the
total field pattern is equal to the product of primary pattern E (θ) and a
secondary pattern cosφ/2

Effect of Earth on the Radiation Pattern

The effect of earth on the radiation pattern can be obtained by using an
image principle. In image principle, earth is considered as an image
antenna of same length and current as shown in figure
For vertical antenna, currents in actual and image antennas are equal and
have same direction, whereas opposite direction for horizontal antenna.
The resultant field is obtained by the addition of field of an image
antenna to that of an actual antenna. The shape of the vertical pattern is
affected more than the horizontal pattern

Effect of Earth on the Radiation Pattern of Vertical Antenna

The ground-effect factor of a perfectly conducting earth is given as,
2cos2Пh/sinφ
Where,
h = Height of the center of antenna above earth
φ= Elevation angle above horizontal.
But, for the case of finite conducting of earth, the above given
expression is valid for large angles of φ0.
Whereas, for low angles of φ0, less than 15° known as "Pseudo-
Brewster angle", the phase of the reflection factor is nearer to 180° than
it is to 0° and the use of above equation would lead to erroneous result.
The effect of earth on radiation pattern can be explained by taking
different cases of conductivities (σ). The function ‘n’ is defined as,
n =x/Er
Where, x=σ/ωEv
σ = conductivity of the earth in mho/meter
Er=15, Relative dielectric of the earth.\
The vertical radiation pattern of a vertical dipole is a shown in the figure
Effect of Earth on the Radiation Pattern of Horizontal Antenna
The effect of ground is obtained by multiplying free-space pattern and
ground factor, i.e.
2cos2Пh
Sinφ
The first maxima in this pattern occurs at,
Sinφ= λ/4h (h> λ/4)
The effect of earth on the vertical pattern perpendicular to the axis of
dipole is as shown in figure
4. Explain about radiation pattern of 4-isotropic and 8-isotropic
elements fed in phase, spaced λ/2 apart?
Ans:
Radiation Pattern of 4-isotropic elements fed in phase, spaced λ/2 apart:
Let the 4--elements of isotropic (or non-directive) radiators are in a
linear arrays (Fig. 4.1) in elements are placed at a distance of λ/2 and are
fed in phase, i.e. α = 0. One of the method to get the radiation pattern of
the array is to add the fields of individual four elements at a distance
point P vector ally but instead an alternative method, using the principle
of multiplicity of pattern, will be shown to get the same.
The radiation pattern of two isotropic radiation spaced λ apart, fed in
phase is known to be as shown in Figure Now elements (1) and (2) are
considered as one unit and is considered to be placed between the
midway of the elements and so also the elements (3) and (4) as another
unit assumed to be placed between the two elements as shown in fig 4.2.
 Thus 4 elements spaced λ/2 have been replaced by two units
spaced λ and by doing so, the problem of determining radiation of 4
elements has reduced to find out the radiation pattern of two antennas
spaced λ apart .Then according to multiplicity of pattern. The resultant
radiation pattern of 4 elements is obtained by multiplying the radiation
pattern of individual element Fig 4.3 (b) and array of two units spaced λ.
 In place of isotropic (non-directional) if the array is replaced by a
non-isotropic (i.e. directional) antennas, then the radiation pattern Fig.
4.2 must be accordingly modified

5. What is uniform linear array? Discuss the application of linear

array? And also explain the advantages and disadvantage of linear
array?
Ans:
UNIFORM LINEAR ARRAY:

In general single element antennas having non uniform radiation

pattern are used in several broadcast services. But this type of radiation
pattern is not useful in point-to-point communication and services that
require to radiate most of the energy in one particular direction i.e., there
are applications where we need high directive antennas. This type of
radiation pattern is achieved by a mechanism called antenna array. An
antenna array consists of identical antenna elements with identical
orientation distributed in space. The individual antennas radiate and their
radiation is coherently added in space to form the antenna beam. In a
linear array, the individual antennas of the array are equally spaced
along a straight line. These individual antennas of an array are also
known as elements. A linear array is said to be uniform linear array, if
each element in the array is. Fed with a current of equal magnitude with
progressive phase shift (phase shift between adjacent antenna elements).

Application of Linear Array:

1. Adaptive linear arrays are used extensively in wireless
communication to reduce interference between desired users and
interfering signals.
2. Many linear arrays spaced parallel on the common plane create a
planar array antenna. These are used in mobile radar equipment.
3. The linear array is most often used to generate-a fan beam and is
useful where broad coverage in one plane and narrow beam width in the
orthogonal plane are desired.
4. Linear arrays can be made extremely compact and .are therefore very
attractive for shipboard.
The advantages and disadvantages of linear arrays are as follows.
Advantages:

1. Increases the overall gain. .

2. Provide diversity receptions.
3. Cancel out interference from a particular set of directions.
4."Steer" the array so that it is more sensitive in a particular direction.
5. Determines the direction of arrival of the incoming signals.
6. It maximizes the Signal to Interference plus Noise ratio.
Disadvantages:

1. Ray deflection only in a single plane possible.

2. Complicated arrangement and more electronically controlled phase
shifter needed. ;
3. Field view is restricted.
4. Considerable minor lobes are formed.
5. Large power loss due to current flowing in all elements.
6. Overall efficiency decreases.
7. Costly to implement

6. What is the optimum spacing in parasitic array? Why?

Ans: parasitic array:
The simplest case of a parasitic array is one driven element and one
parasitic element and this may be considered as two element array. A
parasitic array consists of one or more driven element and a number of
parasitic elements. Hence in parasitic arrays there are one or more
parasitic elements and at least one driven element to introduce power in
the array.
A parasitic array with linear half-wave dipole as elements is normally
called as "Yagi-Uda" or simply "Yagi" antenna after the name of
inventor S.Uda (Japanese) and H. Yagi(English).The amplitude and
phase of the current introduced in a parasitic element depends on its
tuning and the spacing between parasitic element and driven element to
which it is coupled. A variation in the distance between driven element
and parasitic element changes the relative phases and this proves to be
very convenient. It helps in making the radiation pattern unidirectional.
A distance of λ/4 and phase difference of П/2 radian (or 90°), for
example, provides a unidirectional pattern.
7. Comparison Broad side array and End fire array:
Broad side array End fire array

1. The array is said to be broad side 1. The array is said to be end fire array,
array, if the direction of maximum if maximum radiation is along the array
radiation is perpendicular to the array axis.
axis. 2. In end fire, phase difference between
2. In broad side, phase difference α = adjacent
0 element is α= -βd
3.General equation for pattern 3. General expression for pattern
maxima is (θmax)minor=cos-1{1/ maxima is, (θmax)minor=cos-1 П
4.general Expression for pattern 􀰉􀰉􀰉 􀰉 1􀰉
minima is,(θmin)major=cos-1 4.Genaral expression for pattern
minima is,θ min =2sin-1
5.Half power beam width is given by,
HPBW= degree 6. 6.Directivity of 5.Halfpower beam width is given by,
broad side array is ,D=2L=Length of HPBW=57.3 degre
array 6.Directivity of end fire array is,
7.Beam width between first nulls is, D= L=length of array
BWFN=degree 7.Beam width between first nulls is
8. In broad side array, all elements are BWFN=114.6Degree
equally spaced along the array axis 8. In End fire array, all elements are
and fed with current of equal equally
magnitude and same phase. spaced along the array axis and fed with
9. Radiation pattern of broad side current of
array is bidirectional equal magnitude but their phases are
10.In broad side array, different.
9. Radiation pattern of broad side array
φ =βdcosθ+α (since α=0) isUnidirectional
Therefore 10.In end fire array,
φ =βdcosθ φ =βdcosθ+α (since α=-βd)
Therefore φ =βd(cosθ-1)
8. Difference between binomial and linear arrays:
Binomial Array Linear Array

1. The binomial array is one in which1. In antenna array if the individual

all the elements are fed with currents
antennas are equal spaced in a
of non-uniform amplitude. straight line, then it is said to be
2. Elements are fed with unequal linear array.
amplitude. 2. If elements are fed with equal
3. We use Pascal triangle to select the
amplitude, it is called as uniform
coefficient or amplitudes of elements.
linear array.
4. Principle of multiplication of 3. We do not use Pascal triangle,
pattern is used for derivation of 4. Principle of multiplication of
pattern. pattern is used for derivation of
5. Secondary lobes does not appear inpattern.
the radiation pattern. 5.Secondary lobes appear in the
6. HPBW increases and directivity radiation pattern
decreases. 6. HPBW is less compared to
For Example: For 5 element array binomial array.
with λ/2spacing HPBW = 31° For Example: For 5 "element
array with λ/2
7. Design is complex for large array spacing HPBW=230.
due to large amplitude ratio. 7. Design is simple for large array
due to uniform amplitude
9. Explain the concept of scanning arrays and what the requirement
of tapering of arrays is?
Ans: concept of scanning arrays:
In broad side (or) end fire array, the maximum radiation occurs in a
specific direction. In broad side array, the direction of radiation pattern
is perpendicular to the array axis whereas in end fire array radiation
pattern is normal, to the array axis.
It is possible to change the orientation of maximum radiation in
any direction with the help of scanning (or) phased arrays
Let,
θ0=Orientation angle
Therefore Phase difference (α) can be calculated by
y = (βdcosθ+ α)θ=θ0
0= βdcosθ+ α
α = - βdcosθ0
From above equation, the phase difference is directly proportional to the
orientation angle. By maintaining the proper phase difference between
the elements, desired radiation can be obtained in any direction. The
basic principle of scanning and phased array is to get the maximum
radiation in any direction.

Tapering of Arrays:

The bidirectional patterns of antennas contain minor lobes in

addition to major lobes. These minor lobes not only waste the amount of
power but cause interference thus they are undesirable. The interference
is severe in case of radar applications where it may cause improper
detection of the target object. Tapering is a technique in which currents
or amplitudes are fed non-uniformly in the sources of a linear array. If
the centre source is made to radiate more strongly than the end sources,
the level of minor lobe sare reduced .Minor lobes are the lobes other
than major lobes in the radiation pattern and the minor lobes adjacent to
major lobes are called side lobes. By tapering of arrays from centre to
end according to some prescription reduces the side lobe level. I f the
tapering amplitudes follow coefficients of binomial series or
Tchebyscheff polynomial, then accordingly the arrays are known as
binomial arrays or dolph Tchebyscheff arrays respectively.

NOTE:
This technique is primarily intended for broadside arrays and also
applicable to end fire arrays because the side lobe ratio in case of,
broadside arrays is approximately 20 or 13 dB.

10. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of binomial array?

And also explain the procedure for measuring the radiation pattern
of half wave dipole?
Ans:

Advantages of Binomial Array:

1. The binomial array is one in which all the elements are fed with
current of non uniform amplitude Such that it reduces minor lobes.
2. Hence, we use Pascal triangle to select the coefficient or amplitudes
of elements.
3. Hence, we use Pascal triangle to select the coefficient or amplitudes
of elements.
4. Secondary lobes do not appear in the radiation pattern.

Disadvantages of Binomial Array:

1. HPBW increases and hence the directivity decreases.

2. Large amplitude ratio is required for a design of a large array.

Procedure for Measuring the Radiation Pattern of a Half Wave

Dipole
1. Initially, the primary half wave dipole i.e., dipole antenna under test
must be kept stationary where as the secondary half wave dipole i.e.,
dipole antenna with known radiation pattern is transported around along
a circular path at a constant distance.
2. If the secondary half wave dipole antenna is directional, then it is kept
aimed at primary half wave dipole antenna so that only primary half
wave dipole antenna pattern will affect the result.
3. Basically, primary half wave dipole antenna may be a transmitting
antenna (not a compulsion).
. 4. The field strength readings and direction of the secondary half wave
dipole antenna with respect to primary half wave dipole antenna are
recorded along the circle at different points.
5. Finally, using the readings of field strengths at a number of points the
plot of radiation pattern of primary half wave dipole antenna is made
either in rectangular form or in polar form.