Module: 2 Linear & Planar Arrays
Two element array, N-element linear array - broadside array, End fire
array - Directivity, radiation pattern, pattern multiplication. Non-uniform
excitation - Binomial, Chebyshev distribution, Arrays: Planar array,
circular array, Phased Array antenna (Qualitative study)
Dr. K.Shambavi, SENSE 1
Antenna Array
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 only be accomplished by increasing the electrical
size of the antenna.
Enlarging the dimensions of single elements often leads to more directive
characteristics.
Another way to enlarge the dimensions of the antenna, without necessarily
increasing the size of the individual elements, is to form an assembly of
radiating elements in an electrical and geometrical configuration.
This new antenna, formed by multi-elements, is referred to as an Array.
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Linear Array
• Array: a set of antennas operating together to produce certain radiation pattern.
• Each antenna in an array is called an element antenna (or simply an element).
• The elements in an array can be the same or different. In most practical cases,
they are identical in construction (with different feedings).
• Configuration of arrays: Linear (1D), planar (2D), and conformal (3D).
• Array analysis: to obtain array factor (AF) given array configuration and
element feedings
• Array synthesis: To determine the array configuration and/or element feedings
to achieve desired array factor.
• For array made up of identical elements,
(Array pattern) = (Array factor) X (element pattern)
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Linear Array
In an array of identical elements, 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,
rectangular, spherical, etc.)
2. The relative displacement between the elements
3. The excitation amplitude of the individual elements
4. The excitation phase of the individual elements
5. The relative pattern of the individual elements
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Two Element Array
Let us assume that the antenna under investigation is an array of two infinitesimal horizontal
dipoles positioned along the z-axis
α is the phase difference between the two currents.
Single element (1)
sin θ has been replaced by cos θ because the element is z-directed,
single element x-directed.
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Two Element Array
(2)
Comparing (1) and (2)
total field of an array is equal to the field of single element located at the origin multiplied
by an array factor given by
Pattern multiplication
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Two Element Array
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Determination of Null and Maxima
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Pattern multiplication of Element, Array Factor, and Total array Patterns
of a 2-element Array of infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles with identical
phase excitationsc
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Element, Array Factor, and Total array Patterns of a 2-element Array of
infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles with
Identical phase excitations
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Pattern multiplication of Element, Array Factor, and Total array
Patterns of a 2-element Array of infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles
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Pattern multiplication of Element, Array Factor, and Total array
Patterns of a 2-element Array of infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles
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Pattern multiplication of Element, Array Factor, and Total array
Patterns of a 2-element Array of infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles
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Pattern multiplication of Element, Array Factor, and Total array
Patterns of a 2-element Array of infinitesimal Horizontal dipoles
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Example:
Solution
The normalized field of the array is
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Dr. K.Shambavi, SENSE
Example: An array comprises two dipoles that are separated by one wavelength. If the dipoles
are fed by currents of the same magnitude and phase, (a) Find the array factor. (b) Calculate
the angles where the nulls of the pattern occur. (c) Determine the angles where the maxima of
the pattern occur. (d) Sketch the group pattern in the plane containing the elements.
Solution
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Example Two isotropic sources, with spacing d between them, are placed along the z-
axis. The excitation coefficient of each is unity. For a spacing of d = λ/4 between the
elements, find the
(a) array factor,
(b) angles (in degrees) where the nulls of the pattern occur (0◦ ≤ θ ≤ 180◦) ,
(c) angles (in degrees) where the maxima of the pattern occur (0◦ ≤ θ ≤ 180◦)
Solution 1
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d cos
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d cos
90, 0 when 0
0, 0 when d
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Broadside Array – N elements
Sidelobe Maxima directions
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Broadside Array – N elements
Null directions
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Broadside Array – N elements
Half power point direction
First Null beamwidth and Half power beamwidth
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Radiation Pattern of Broadside Array – N elements
E(φ)
Main beam
N
Side lobes
π/2
-π φ π
Nulls First Null
angle between first null and max imum of major lobe
BWFN 2 2 x angle between first null and max imum of major lobe
1
HPBW BWFN
2
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Radiation Pattern of Broadside Array – N elements
n
null cos 1
Nd
n
90 cos 1
Nd
n
cos(90 )
Nd
n n
sin ,
Nd Nd
2 n 2
BWFN 2 (n 1 for first null )
Nd Nd
2 2 57.3
BWFN radian 114.6
L L L
HPBW 57.3
L
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Directivity of Broadside Array – N elements
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Broadside Array – N elements
Radiation Pattern Parameters
Length of the array L = (N-1)d = Nd
when N is large
Directivity = 2Nd / λ = 2L / λ
BWFN = 2λ / Nd radian = 114.6 oλ / L degree
HPBW = ½ BWFN = 57.3o λ / L degree
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Endfire Array – N elements
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End Array – N elements
Sidelobe Maxima directions
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End Array – N elements
Null directions
2 n
d (cos min 1)
N
2 n n
(cos min 1)
dN Nd
2 n
1 2 sin min 1
2 Nd
min min or 2 sin n
1
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2 Nd 30
Radiation Pattern of Broadside Array – N elements
E(φ)
Main beam
N
Side lobes
0
-π φ π
Nulls First Null
angle between first null and max imum of major lobe
BWFN 2 2 x angle between first null and max imum of major lobe
1
HPBW BWFN
2
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End Array – N elements
First Null beamwidth and Half power beamwidth
BWFN 2 x angle between first null and max imum of major lobe 21 min
n
min min or 2 sin
1
2 Nd
n 4 n
sin min min 2
2 Nd 2 Nd
2 n
min
Nd
2 2 2
BWFN 21 min
2 2 rad 114.6 deg ree
Nd L L
2
HPBW 57.3 deg ree
L
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Directivity of Endfire Array – N elements
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Radiation Pattern of Endfire Array – N elements
Length of the array L = (N-1)d = Nd
when N is large
Directivity = 4Nd / λ = 4L / λ
BWFN = 114.6 2 degree
L
HPBW = ½ BWFN
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Example: A uniform linear array consists of 4 isotropic point sources with a
spacing of λ /2. If the phase difference is 0o , Determine Array factor, Half power
beam width, beamwidth between first null and draw theradiation pattern
No of isotropic sources N = 4 , d = λ/2, β = 0o
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