ARRAY ANTENNAS: LINEAR AND PLANER Introduction Usually the radiation pattern of a single element is relatively wide, and each element provides Jow values of directivity (gain). In many applications it is necessary to design antennas with very directive characteristics (very high gains) to meet the demands of long distance communication. This can be achieved by using multi-elements arranged in an array. To provide very directive patterns, it is necessary that the fields from the elements of the array interfere constructively (add) in the desired directions and interfere destructively (cancel each other) in the remaining space. There are at least five controls that can be used to shape the overall pattern of the antenna. These are: 1. ‘The geometrical configuration of the overall array (linear, circular, r ngular, spherical, ete.) ‘The relative displacement between the elements, The excitation amplitude of the individual elements. ‘The excitation phase of the individual elements. ween ‘The relative pattern of the individual elements. 1. Two-Element Linear Array Let us assume that the antenna is an array of two infinitesimal horizontal dipoles positioned along the axis, as shown in Figure (15a). The total field radiated by the two elements is equal to the sum of the two and itis given by: Figure(15) Blol (eNBr(@/2)) enilBreHa/2)) F,=5, +8, = nb F608 6) ¢ cos0,} ay 1where a is the difference in phase excitation between the elements. The magnitude excitation of the radiators is identical. Assuming far-field observations and referring to Figure (15b). d d 76088 and my = rt $eose} for phase variations. for amplitude variations. Jote!# ne sages ibts-0hay Blole I" I~ ter cosé [ecos G (Bdcoso + «)| ay E(total) = [E(single element)] x [array factor] ‘Thus for the two-element array of constant amplitude, the array factor is given by: AF = 2cos E (Bdcos@ + «| and the normalized AF can be written as 1 (AF)n = cos 5 (Bdcos6 + «| Example 9 Consider an array of two identical infinitesimal dipoles oriented as shown in figure (15), find the nulls of the total field when d= 2/4 and: aa=0 b.a=+ni2 c.a=—al2 Soluti aa=0 ‘The normalized field is given by Ein = Os 0 cos Geos D) ‘The nulls are obtained by setting the total field equal to zero, or Ein = cos @ cos (Geos )|a EON TCE thus COS A= 0 > 8,=90" and Ft sen = d t exist = -2 26n = does not exis 2 2 The only null occurs at 0 = 90> and is due to the pattern of the individual elements. The array cos {ens 4.) = 0 Seos6, = factor does not contribute any additional nulls because there is not enough separation between the elements to introduce a phase difference of 180° between the elements, for any observation angle as shown in figure( 16), Element Array factor . Figure (16): Element, array factor, and total field patterns of a two-element array of infinitesimal horizontal dipoles with identical phase exeitation (a= 0°, d= 2/4). ba = 4/2 ‘The normalized field is given by: Ein = cos @ cos Fcoos o+1] ‘The nulls are found from: Fry = €088-cos[ (cos 0 +1)|| thus: cos ,=0 > 0,=90° 1 x 2 re =00% © oan = cos [F(ooso +0] 0 © F(cosB, +1) =F F6n = 0 andx « 6080, +1) =—F On = does not exist The nulls of the array occur at @ = 90° and O°. The null at O° is introduced by the arrangement of the elements (array factor). This can also be shown by physical reasoning; the element in the negative z-axis has an initial phase lag of 90° relative to the other element. As the wave from that clement travels toward the positive axis (6 = O° direction), it undergoes an additional 90° phase retardation when it arrives at the other element on the positive axis. Thus there is a total of 180° phase difference between the waves of the two elements when travel is toward the positive z-axis (9 = 0+). The waves of the two elements are in phase when they travel in the negative z-axis (0 = 180°), Tar a Element Ay factor ond Pattern of element, array factor, and total array patterns of a two-element array of infinitesimal horizontal dipoles with (a) a=+90°, d= 2/4, ca = —n/2 The normalized field is given by _ a Ein = cos 6 cos FF cos 0 — a] and the nulls by Ein = cos @ cos E (cos 6 — vIl,., ‘Thus 608 Ay = 0 > Oy = 90"does not exist Hlement Example 9 Consider an array of two identical infinitesimal dipoles oriented as shown in figure (15), find the nulls of the total field when a= 0 and: ad=A/4 bd=a/2 cd = 3/4 ad=ade and Spacit -Element Linear Array: Uniform Any Consider an array of N identical clements all of identical magnitude and each with a "a" progressive phase is referred to as a uniform array as shown in figure (17). The array factor can be obtained by considering the elements to be point sources. The total field can be formed by multiplying the array factor of the isotropic sources by the field of a single element. ‘The array factor is given by: AB = 14 cllBd cos 0+0) 4 g/2(Bdcos O42) 4... gm IN(fa cos 6+4) x ap =) el0-nihecrten AE Y eJ-DY where w = (Bd cos 6 +0) AF = 14 el? + ef? 4 4 efN-DY Multiplying both sides by e” : Ae!) =e + el 4 6) 4 4 eN-DY 4 eID Subtracting (*) from (**), we get: AF(e¥ —1) = (-1 +e!) Figure(17) rei(N/2DW — @=i(N/2DW sev-ayjzip [ee eid — @=1a/aw‘The maximum value of the array factor is equal to N. The normalized form of the array factor is: 1 fain (* NT sin (2) sin() (APn = (AF)n = Fe 3 To find the nulls of the array: (Nt N N sin(2) =0 oF = tne = F@dcosd +0) = tne 9, = cos™* [a (-«2*2)} n = 1,2,3, hv nd 12,3, The maximum values occur when: ¥ 1 =F (Bd cos 9 + 0)| = mn 2 =m a 6m = cos [= (-a+ 2mn)} m=0,1,2,. To find the HPBW: uit = 0.707 (max) = 0.707 “w 4 @acos o+ al,» = 1.391 Ce = 0.707 at x = +1. 391) , af 4 2.782 n= cos [eG (-«2F)] and HPBW = 2/@m ~ On| There are secondary maxima (maxima of minor lobes) which occur when: Ny N N sin (=) > sin(F@acrse+a)=1 95GB cose, + « a ast1 0, = cos sea (-#+ ( my )»)| S=12,3 002.1 Broadside Array In many applications it is desirable to have the maximum radiation of an array directed normal to the axis of the array (broadside; @ = 90]. The maxima of the single clement and of the array factor should both be directed toward @ = 90= ‘The first maximum of the array factor occurs when: pao (Bd cos 6 + a)|g-o92 = 0 a=0 Thus to have the maximum of the array factor of a uniform linear array directed broadside to the axis of the array, it is necessary that all the elements have the same phase excitation(in addition to the same amplitude excitation) To ensure that there are no principal maxima in other directions, which are referred to as grating lobes, the separation between the elements should not be equal to multiples of a wavelength (d=n2,n=1,2,3...) when a =0. & Ford (broadside & End-fire Array). Figure(18) array factor pattems of uniform amplitude broadside arrayEE ‘The maximum radiation (main lobe) is directed along the axis of the array toward only one direction [End-fire; 0 = 0° or 180° To direct the first maximum toward 0 = Wp =0 > (Bdcos 6 + alge =0 > Bd ta=0 a = pd To direct the first maximum toward 4 = 180° : p =0 => (BdcosO + @)lg-ig0e =0 >-Bd +a =0 a=fd + If the element separation is d = 2/2, end-fire radiation exists simultaneously in both directions (9 = Oand @ = 180). ‘© If the element spacing is a multiple of a wavelength (d= 2, n = 1, 2, 3,...)y then in addition to having end-fire radiation in both directions, there also exist maxima in the broadside directions. Thus for d= n2, n= 1, 2, 3,... there exist four maxima; two in the broadside directions and two along the axis of the array. ‘© To have only one end-fire maximum and to avoid any grating lobes, the maximum spacing between the elements should be less than dmx < 2/2. At.9.= 18 Three-dimensional patterns for end-fire arrays toward @ = 0° and 180° (N= 10, d= 2/4),2.3 Phased (Scanning) Array ‘The maximum radiation (main lobe) can be oriented in any direction to form a scanning array. Let us assume that the maximum radiation of the array is required to be oriented at an angle 5 (0° < 6 < 180°), To achieve this, the phase excitation angle "a" between the elements must be adjusted so that: yp =0 > (Bdcos 6 + a) a =~ fdcos 8, 4, =0 = Bdcos0@, +a =0 ‘The HPBW of the scanning array is obtained with a = Bd cos0. In this ease we will get two values of 4, then the total beamwidth is the difference between these two angles and can be written as: oun eor (at 222) =o, mcf (tacos, 2] * 2nd ~N * 2nd een HPBW = cos“? [( cos, Tal cos“ I( cosy + aa Since N= (L+ d)/d, then: - a . a HPBW = cos~* [( cos6, - 0.443-*.)] — cos-*[( cos, + 0.443-*.)] The length of the array L=(N-1)d (a0 Thre dimensona ww Figure(19) array factor patterns of uniform amplitude scanning array (N= 10, 0) = 60°, a=—Bd cosy ~=Bd/2, d= 1/4). 10EMTTME NET DIRECTIVITY ‘The directivity of N-element linear array can be obtained using the following formulas: d 2N (=) for broadside array d 4N (=) for end — fire array Example 10 Design a four-element ordinary end-fire array with the elements placed along the zaxis for a spacing of d = 1/2 between the elements, find the: (a) progressive phase excitation between the elements. (b) angles where the nulls of the array factor occur. (©) angles where the max of the array factor occur. (d) FNBW and HPBW of the array factor. (c) directivity (in dB) of the array factor. Solution @ (b) (©) Om =cos [ce + 2mz)| = cos [22 - 2ma] = cos“1[1 - 2m], m=0,1 > 8 =0°,180° (d) FNBW = 2+ 0, =2*60° = 120° A 2.782 = cos? [4 (a 4 278) Oy = cos lizal ae I 1 : 8y = 38.866" HPBW = 21 — | = 77.732" (© dD, =4n (2) =8 = 9.03.48 MWETT TENTEMaes EXAMPLE 1 Find the HPBW and FNBW of a 10-element uniform scanning array of isotropic sources placed along the z-axis. The spacing between the elements is 4/4 and the maximum is directed at 45e from its axis, Solution L w-nd=a0-n4 a a HPBW = cos™*|| cos45 — 0.443 || —cos“!}{ cos45 + 0.4435 yatt fast HPBW = 58° — 27.83° = 30,17° 2 -1 a 1 0 = oO 0 = cos ka (-« +o 7) = cos™"[(cos45° — 0.4n)] = 72.12 FNBW = 2|45° — 72.12°| = 54.24° 12