Antenna and Radio Wave Propagation

Chapter Four

Array Antennas
Introduction
• Usually the radiation patterns of single-
element antennas are relatively wide, i.e.,
they have relatively low directivity (gain).
• Enlarging the dimensions of single
elements often leads to more directive
characteristics.
• Another way to increase directivity is by
assembly of radiating elements in a proper
electrical and geometrical configuration to
form antenna array.
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 Antenna Arrays
• Usually, the array elements are identical. This is not necessary but it is practical
and simpler for design and fabrication.
• The individual elements may be of any type (wire dipoles, loops, apertures, etc.)

Large planar array antenna of a VHF Russian

mobile air defense radar, the Nebo-M. It Array of four helical antennas used as
consists of 175 folded dipole antennas. a satellite tracking antenna, Pleumeur-
Bodou, France 4
Antenna Arrays
• To provide very directive pattern, it is
necessary that the partial fields (generated
by the individual elements) interfere
constructively in the desired direction
and interfere destructively in the
remaining space.

• Arrays can provide the capability of a

steerable beam (radiation direction
change).

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Antenna Arrays
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:

 The geometrical configuration of the overall array (linear,

circular, rectangular, spherical, etc.)
 The relative displacement between the elements
 The excitation amplitude of the individual elements
 The excitation phase of the individual elements
 The relative pattern of the individual elements

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Antenna Arrays Types, based on geometrical configuration

Depending in the physical location of the discrete elements:

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Antenna Arrays Types, based on radiation patterns

8
Antenna Arrays

9
Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array
Let us assume that the antenna under investigation is an array of two infinitesimal
horizontal dipoles positioned along the z-axis.

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 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array
The total field radiated by the two elements, assuming no coupling between the
elements, is equal to the sum of the two and in the y-z plane it is given by:

where β is the difference in phase excitation

between the elements.
The magnitude excitation of the radiators is identical.

j( / 2)
I1  I 0e
j( / 2)
I 2  I0e 
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Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array

Assuming far
field observations

12
 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array

Assuming far
field observations

13
 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array

• The total field of the array is equal to the field of a single element positioned at
the origin multiplied by a factor which is widely referred to as the Array Factor.

• Thus for the two-element array of constant amplitude, the array factor is given
by:

which in normalized form can be written as

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 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array

• The array factor is a function of the geometry of the array and the excitation
phase.
• By varying the separation d and/or the phase β between the elements, the
characteristics of the array factor and of the total field of the array can be
controlled.
• It has been illustrated that the far-zone field of a uniform two-element array
of identical elements is equal to the product of the field of a single element,
at a selected reference point (usually the origin), and the array factor of that
array. That is,

• This is referred to as pattern multiplication for arrays of identical elements

15
Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)
Example
For the previous array, find the nulls of the total field when d=λ/4 and:
β=0 , β=+π/2 , β=+π/2
For β=0 : The only null occurs at θ = 90◦ and is due to the
pattern of the individual elements. There is not
enough separation between the elements to
introduce a phase difference of 180◦ between
the elements.

16
Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)
For β=0

The array factor is nearly

isotropic, the element pattern
and the total pattern are
almost identical in shape.

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 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)
For β= +π/2 :

The nulls of the array occur at θ = 90◦ and

0◦. The null at 0◦ is introduced by the
arrangement of the elements (array factor).

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Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)

For β= +π/2

19
 Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)
For β= -π/2 :

The nulls occur at 90◦ and 180◦.

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Antenna Arrays-Two Element Array (Example)

For β= -π/2

21
 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
 Assume that N isotropic elements have identical
amplitudes but each succeeding element has a β
progressive phase by which the current in each
element leads the current of the preceding element.
I1  I 0 , I 2  I 0e j ,
I 3  I 0e j 2  ,.., I N  I 0e j ( N 1) 
• The total field can be formed by multiplying the
array factor by the field of a single element. This is
the pattern multiplication rule and it applies only
for arrays of identical elements.

Uniform Array: An array of identical elements all of identical magnitude and each with
a progressive phase (satisfied in our case)
3
 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing

In Far-field region
1   2   3  ....   N  
r1  r
r2  r1  d cos   r  d cos 
r3  r2  d cos   r  2 d cos 
rN  rN 1  d cos   r  ( N  1) d cos 

4
 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
 I 0 e  jkr1 I 0 E 0  jkr
Assume E 1  E 0  e
r1 r
  jkr 2 j   jkr jkd cos 
j e e e e
E 2  E0 I 0e  I 0 E0
r2 r

Let     kd cos   E 2  E1e j
Similarly ,...

E 3  E1e j 2  1   2   3  ....   N  

E N  E 1 e j ( N 1 )  r1  r
r2  r1  d cos   r  d cos 
r3  r2  d cos   r  2 d cos 
rN  rN 1  d cos   r5  ( N  1) d cos 
N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
   
E  E1  E2  ...  EN

E  E1 1  e j  e j 2  ...  e j ( N 1)  
Element pattern Array Factor

Array
Factor

6
 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
The array factor can also be expressed in an alternate, compact and closed form,

Multiplying both sides of AF equation by ejψ:

Subtracting (AF) from (AF) ejψ reduces to:

7
 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
The phase factor exp[ j(N -1)ψ/2] is not important unless the array output signal is
further combined with the output signal of another antenna. Neglecting the phase
factor gives :   N 
 sin  2   
AF    
  
 sin   
  2  
 For small values of ψ:
  N 
 sin  2   
AF    
  
 2 
 
  N 
 sin   
Since AF   N  2  The maximum value
N of AF is equal to N
  
 2 
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 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
To normalize the array factors so that the maximum value of each is equal to unity,
AF are written in normalized form as
 N 
 sin   
 2 
AF n  
 N 

 2 
 
For small values of Si
  N 
sin    
1   2 
AF n  
N   
 sin   
  2  

where Ψ  kd cos   
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 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
sin  Nx 
The function f ( x ) 
N sin  x 
has its maximum at x =0,π,.., and the value of this maximum is fmax=1.

  N 
sin   
1   2 
AF n   
N   
 sin  2  
 

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 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
To find the nulls of the array:
  N 
sin    
1   2 
AF n  
N  
sin   
  2  
Ψ  kd cos   

When n =0,N,2N,3N…, the AF attains its maximum values.

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 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
The maximum values of AF occur when   N 
sin    
1   2 
AF n  
N  
sin   
  2  

Ψ  kd cos   

It is usually desirable to have a single major lobe, i.e. m = 0. This can

be achieved by choosing d/λ sufficiently small.

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 N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
The HPBW of a major lobe is calculated by setting the value of AFn equal to 1/√2 .
sin( N  / 2 )
AF n (  ) 
( N  / 2)
1 sin( N  3 dB / 2 )
AF n (  3 dB )  
2 ( N  3 dB / 2 )
1
From Appendix I  N3dB  1.3915
2
1
N (   kd cos  3dB )  1.3915
2
   2.782 
 3dB  cos 1     
 2d  N 

The half-power beamwidth θh can be found once the angles of the first maximum
(θm) and the half-power point (θ3dB) are determined. For a symmetrical pattern
 h  HPBW  2 |  3dB   m1 |
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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Broadside Array:
• In many applications it is desirable to have the maximum radiation of
an array directed normal to the axis of the array (θm1 = 90◦).
• To optimize the design, the maxima of the single element and of the array
factor should both be directed toward θm1 = 90◦.
• The first maximum of the array factor occurs when:
Ψ  kd cos     0
• Since it is desired to have first maximum directed toward θ0 = 90◦, then
Ψ  kd cos   90    0    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).
The separation between the elements can be of any value.
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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Broadside Array:

array factor of a 10-element (N = 10)

uniform array with β = 0 and d = λ/4

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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Ordinary End-fire Array:

• Instead of having the maximum radiation broadside to the axis of the array,
it may be desirable to direct it along the axis of the array (end-fire).
• As a matter of fact, it may be necessary that it radiates toward only one
direction (either θ=0◦ or 180◦).
• To direct the first maximum toward θ = 0◦:

• If the first maximum is desired toward θ0 = 180◦, then

• Thus end-fire radiation is accomplished when β =−kd (for θ = 0◦) or β = kd

(for θ = 180◦).

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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Ordinary End-fire Array:

θ = 180◦
θ = 0◦

Three-dimensional amplitude patterns for end-fire arrays

toward θ = 0◦ and 180◦ (N = 10, d = λ/4).
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Array factor patterns of a 10-element uniform amplitude end-fire array
(N = 10, d = λ/4).
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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Phased Scanning Array
• Let us assume that the maximum radiation of the array is required to be
oriented at an angle θ0 (0◦ ≤ θ0 ≤ 180◦).
• To accomplish this, the phase excitation β between the elements must be
adjusted so that

  N 
sin    
1   2 
AF n  
N  
sin   
  2  

Ψ  kd cos   
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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Phased Scanning Array
• Thus by controlling the progressive phase
difference between the elements, the maximum
radiation can be squinted in any desired direction
to form a scanning array.
• This is the basic principle of electronic scanning
phased array operation.
• Since in phased array technology the scanning
must be continuous, the system should be capable
of continuously varying the progressive phase
between the elements.
• In practice, this is accomplished electronically by
the use of diode phase shifters.
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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Phased Scanning Array
Example:
Derive the values of the progressive phase shift β as dependent on the
direction of the main beam θ0 for a uniform linear array with d=λ/4.
Solution

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N-Elements Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude & Spacing
Phased Scanning Array

radiation pattern of a
10-element array, with
a separation of λ/4
between the elements
and with the maximum
squinted in the θ0 = 60◦
direction
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23
Phased Array

General diagram of parallel fed phased array

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Phased Array

General diagram of Series fed phased array

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Thank You