Antenna Array

Content
• Introduction - Array
• 2 Element isotropic Array
– Array Factor
– Radiation pattern calculation (pattern shaping)
• 2 Element non-isotropic Array
• N Element Liner Array Linear Array
– Array Factor
– Broadside and Endfire
– Varying the Number of Elements
– Varying the Gap between the Elements
– Beam Scanning
– Varying Amplitude of elements (Tapering) – Binomial and Chebyshev
Array
• Planar Array
 Need for the Array Antenna
Ways to increase the Gain of an Antenna:

1. Increasing the electrical size of the antenna

2. Array: Form an assembly of identical radiating elements
(antenna) in an electrical and geometrical configuration
(without increasing the size of the individual elements)
Single Array Antenna
Antenna
Radiation Pattern Wide Directive
Directivity and Gain Low High
 Shaping the Pattern of Array
• The total field of the array is determined by the vector
addition of the fields radiated by the individual elements.
• Fields from the elements of the array interfere
constructively (add) in the desired directions and interfere
destructively (cancel each other) in the remaining space
[neglecting coupling]
• Approaches to control the shape of the beam
1. the geometrical configuration of the overall array
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
 I. Two Element Linear Dipole Array
• Assume that the antenna under investigation is an array of two
infinitesimal horizontal dipoles positioned along the z-axis.
• Let’s calculate the total field due to the two dipoles at ‘P’
• β=difference in phase excitation between the elements
• k=wave number
Electric field due single infinitesimal dipole
along 'y' axis (horizontal)
I 0 dl  jk 
P E   cos    e  jkr
dipole 1 4 r 

dipole 2
 Array Factor of 2 Element Array
The total field radiated

Assuming far-field observations

Total field due to 'N' nonsotropic array of sources = Field of a single non-isotropic element at origin x
Arrayfactor of 'N' isotropic sources

For the two-element array of constant

amplitude, the array factor is given by
 Pattern Multiplication
Radiation patterns of an array of N identical antennas =
[element pattern Fe (pattern of one of the antennas)] X [the array pattern Fa]

where Fa is the pattern obtained upon replacing all of the actual

antennas with isotropic sources.
 Solve:
Consider a two Hz dipole element array, where d=λ/4 and the normalized field is given
by
E=cos (𝜃element).
Calculate the approximate pattern using principle of pattern multiplication for the cases
β=0,+90,-90.
To construct the pattern approximately calculate the nulls of the array.
 Applying Pattern Multiplication: Array to 2 Hz Dipoles
E=cos (𝜃element) cos(1/2[kdcos 𝜃array+β]).

(i) β=0; d=λ/4

cos (𝜃element) X cos (𝜋/4cos 𝜃array).

 E=cos (𝜃element) cos(1/2[kdcos 𝜃array+β]).

(ii) β=+90; d=λ/4

cos (𝜃element) X cos (𝜋/4 cos 𝜃array+ 𝜋/4).

 E=cos (𝜃element) cos(1/2[kdcos 𝜃array+β])

(iii) β=-90; d=λ/4

cos (𝜃element) X cos (𝜋/4cos 𝜃array - 𝜋/4).

 II. N - Element Uniform Array

• An array of identical elements all of identical

magnitude and each with a progressive phase is
referred to as a uniform array.
• Consider array with ‘N’ elements.
• All the elements have identical amplitudes but each
succeeding element has a (𝛽) progressive phase lead
current excitation relative to the preceding one.
• The array factor can be obtained by considering the
elements to be point sources. If the actual elements are
not isotropic sources, the total field can be formed by
multiplying the array factor of the isotropic sources by
the field of a single element.

𝜓= progressive relative phase between elements

 II. N - Element Uniform Array

Multiplying both sides of above eqn. by ej𝜓,

(Normalized Array factor

If the reference point is the physical center of the array, the array factor is for N element Array)
The maximum value is equal to N. By
normalize the array factors so that the
maximum value of each is equal to
unity,

(Array factor for N element Array)

k=2π/λ; d=separation between elements; θ=angle measured from array axis;

𝛽= progressive phase; N=number of elements in the array
 Array Classification (based of phase and amplitude)
• Uniform Array: Uniform Amplitude and Spacing
– Case 1. Scanning or Phased Array
Maximum radiation can be oriented in any direction 𝜃0
𝛽 = −kd cos 𝜃0
– Case 2. Broadside Array
Maximum radiation is directed normal to the axis of the array 𝜃0 = 90°
𝛽 =0° (Sources are in Phase )
– Case 3. Ordinary End-Fire Array
Maximum radiation of an array directed along the axis of the array 𝜃0 = 0 or 180◦
𝛽 = −kd for 𝜃0 = 0 and 𝛽 = +kd or 180◦
• Non-Uniform Array: Uniform Spacing and Nonuniform Amplitude
– Technique 1: Binomial Array
– Technique 2: Tchebyscheff or Chebyshev Array
 II. N - Element Uniform Array
Case 2. Broadside Array

• If the maximum radiation of an array directed normal to the

axis of the array [broadside; 𝜃0 = 90◦]
• Now let us calculate the condition for broadside radiation.
• First maximum of the array factor occurs when
𝜓 = kd cos 𝜃 + 𝛽 = 0
• Since it is desired to have the first maximum directed toward
𝜃0 = 90, then
𝜓 = kd cos 𝜃 + 𝛽 |𝜃=90◦ = 𝛽 = 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).
 II. N - Element Uniform Array
Case 2. Broadside Array

  
 null  cos  
1

 Nd 
 max  90
 3 
 minor  cos  
1

 2 Nd 
 1  1.391  
 HPBW 2   cos  
 2   Nd 
 1    
 FNBW  2   cos  
 2  Nd 
d 
D0  2 N  
 
 II. N - Element Uniform Array
Case 3. End-fire Array

• If the maximum radiation of an array directed along the axis of the array
[broadside; 𝜃0 = 0 or 180◦]
• Now let us calculate the condition for broadside radiation.
• First maximum of the array factor occurs when
𝜓 = kd cos 𝜃 + 𝛽 = 0
• To direct the first maximum toward 𝜃0 = 0
𝜓 = kd cos 𝜃 + 𝛽|𝜃=0◦ = kd + 𝛽 = 0
𝛽 = −kd
• To direct the first maximum toward 𝜃0 = 180
𝜓 = kd cos 𝜃 + 𝛽|𝜃=180◦ = −kd + 𝛽 = 0
𝛽 = kd
• If the element separation is d = λ∕2, end-fire radiation exists
simultaneously in both directions (𝜃0 = 0 and 𝜃0 = 180).
• To avoid any grating lobes dmax < λ∕2.
N - Element Linear Array: Uniform Amplitude and Spacing
End-fire Array
1   
 null  cos 1 
 Nd 
 max  0
 3 
 minor  cos 1 
1

 2 Nd 
1  1.391 
 HPBW 2 cos 1 
  Nd 
  
 FNBW  2 cos 1 1 
 Nd 
d 
D0  2 N  
 
Solve: Design a linear uniform end-fire array which has major lobe along 0° which has
10 isotropic radiators, each separated by 0.25 wavelength. Calculate the angle of (i) β
(ii) null (iii) max (iv) HPBW (v) minor lobe (vi) directivity of the array factor..

  
 null  cos 1 1 
 Nd 
 max  0
 3  Null HPBW
 minor  cos 1 
1
θn=53 deg ϴHPBW=69.4 deg
 2 Nd 
 1.391  Maxima
 HPBW 2 cos 1 1 
 Nd 
First Minor θm=0 deg
 Lobe
   θs=65.3 deg
 FNBW  2 cos 1 1 
 Nd  β=-90°
d  D0=5 (dimensionless)=10log(5)=6.98 dB
D0  2 N  
 
Solve: Design a linear uniform which has major lobe along 90° which has 16 isotropic
radiators, each separated by 0.5 wavelength. Calculate the angle of (i) β (ii) null (iii)
max (iv) HPBW (v) minor lobe (vi) directivity of the array factor..

Thmax = 90 degrees
Minor lobes=80 and 100 degree
FNBW=1.4 degree
HPBW = 6.3588 degrees
Directivity = 12.0412 db
Directivity = 16 dimensionless
 Uniform Vs Non-Uniform Linear Array
• Uniform linear array
– Uniform spacing, uniform amplitude, and progressive phase
– As the array length is increased to increase the directivity,
the side lobes also occurs.
• Non-uniform array
– Uniform spacing but non-uniform amplitude distribution
– Radiating source in the centre of the broadside array
radiated more strongly than the radiating sources at the
edges
– Posses smallest side lobe
 Technique to reduce side lobe (Amplitude Tapering)

• Centre source radiate more strongly than the end sources.

• The tapering may follow
– Coefficients of Binomial Series
– Chebyshev Polynomial

HPBW Side Lobe

(smallest to largest) (smallest to largest)
1. Uniform (largest directivity)
1. Binomial
2. Chebyshev 2. Chebyshev
3. Binomial 3. Uniform
“Compromise between Side Lobe Level and Beam width”
 Array Factor of N-Element Broadside Linear Non-Uniform Array

• An array of an even number of isotropic

elements 2M (where M is an integer) is
positioned symmetrically along the z-axis, as
shown in Figure.
• The separation between the elements is d, and
M elements are placed on each side of the
origin.
• Assuming that the amplitude excitation is
symmetrical about the origin, the array factor for
a nonuniform amplitude broadside array

To determine the values of the excitation coefficients (an’s), Binomial expansion or

Tschebyscheff polynomials.
 Array Factor of N-Element Linear Array: Uniform
Spacing, Nonuniform Amplitude
• An array of an odd number of isotropic elements
2M+1 (where M is an integer) is positioned
symmetrically along the z-axis, as shown in
Figure.
• The separation between the elements is d, and
M elements are placed on each side of the
origin.
• Assuming that the amplitude excitation is
symmetrical about the origin, the array factor for
a nonuniform amplitude broadside array

The amplitude excitation of the center element is 2a1.

To determine the values of the excitation coefficients (an’s), Binomial expansion or
Tschebyscheff polynomials.
 1. Binomial Array Antenna: Broadside
• Uniform spacing but nonuniform amplitude distribution.
• Array of linear non-uniform amplitudes in which the amplitude of the radiating sources
is arranged according to the coefficient of successive terms of a binomial series.

coefficients of the expansion

represent the relative
amplitudes of the elements

m- no.
Triangle
Pascal’s

elements
of array

• Because the magnitude distribution is monotonically decreasing from the center toward
the edges and the magnitude of the extreme elements is negligible compared to those
toward the center, a very low side lobe level is expected.
• Binomial arrays with element spacing equal or less than λ∕2 have no side lobes.
 1. Binomial Array Antenna: Broadside

Referring to above Array

Factor equation and
Pascal’s triangle, the
amplitude coefficients for
the following arrays are:
HPBW and Maximum directivity for the d = λ∕2 spacing Binomial Array

in radians

Where, L =overall length of the array= (N − 1)d

N=No of elements in the array
d=spacing between the elements

These expressions can be used effectively to design binomial arrays with a desired half-power
beamwidth or directivity.
Example: For a 10-element binomial array with a spacing of λ∕2 between the elements, determine
the half-power beamwidth (in degrees) and the maximum directivity (in dB).
 2. Dolph-Chebyshev or Chebyshev:
Broadside Array
• Reduction in side lobe can’t achieved without the sacrifice of
directivity.
• Chebyshev array compromises between uniform and binomial
array.
• Its excitation coefficients are related to Chebyshev polynomials.
• It produces narrowest beam-width for given side lobe level and
vice versa.
• With Dolph narrow beam antenna with side lobes of -20 to -30 dB
can be designed.
 Array factor on N element nonuniform array:

Referring to above equation, the array factor of an array of even or odd number of elements
with symmetric amplitude excitation is nothing more than a summation of M or M + 1 cosine
terms.
Series expansion for cos(mu) function:
 Relations between the cosine functions and the Chebyshev polynomials
Cosine Function

Chebyshev polynomial Tm(z).

Let
z = cos u

The order m of the

Tschebyscheff polynomial is always one
less than the total number of elements.
Example: Design a broadside Tschebyscheff array of 10 elements with
spacing d between the elements and with a major-to-minor lobe ratio of
26 dB. Find the excitation coefficients and form the array factor.

1. The array factor for even number of elements

2. Expand the array factor. Given: 2M=10 & M= 5

(AF)10=a1cos(u) +a2 cos(3u) +a3 cos(5u) +a4 cos(7u) +a5 cos(9u)

3. Replace cos(u), cos(3u), cos(5u), cos(7u), and cos(9u) by their series expansions

(AF)10=
a1cos(u) +
a2 {4 cos3 u − 3 cos u }+
a3 {16 cos5 u − 20 cos3 u + 5 cos u }+
a4 {64 cos7 u − 112 cos5 u + 56 cos3 u − 7 cos u }+
a5 {256 cos9 u − 576 cos7 u + 432 cos5 u − 120 cos3 u + 9 cos u }
4. Determine z0 from the ratio of major-to-minor lobe intensity (R0), using

Where, z0=1.0851
R0 (dB)=20 log10(R0)
R0 = Major-to-side lobe voltage ratio=10^(26/20)=20.
P is an integer equal to one less than the number of array elements=2M-1=10-1=9.

5. Substitute cosu=z/z0 in the Array factor, calculated in step 3

(AF)10=
a1cos(u) +
a2 {4 cos3 u − 3 cos u }+
a3 {16 cos5 u − 20 cos3 u + 5 cos u }+
(AF)10= a4 {64 cos7 u − 112 cos5 u + 56 cos3 u − 7 cos u }+
a5 {256 cos9 u − 576 cos7 u + 432 cos5 u − 120 cos3 u + 9 cos u }
a 1 {[z/z0)] }+
a2 {4 [z/z0]3 − 3 [z/z0] }+
a3 {16 [z/z0]5 − 20 [z/z0]3 + 5 [z/z0] }+
a4 { 64 [z/z0]7 − 112 [z/z0]5 + 56 [z/z0]3 − 7 [z/z0] }+
a5 { 256 [z/z0]9 − 576 [z/z0]7 + 432 [z/z0]5 − 120 [z/z0]3 + 9 [z/z0] }
6. To determine the excitation coefficients (an’s),
Equate the array factor calculated in Step 5, with Chebyshev polynomial Tm(z)
Where, m=(2M)-1=10-1=9.
(AF)10=
a 1 {[z/z0)] }+
a2 {4 [z/z0]3 − 3 [z/z0] }+
a3 {16 [z/z0]5 − 20 [z/z0]3 + 5 [z/z0] }+
a4 { 64 [z/z0]7 − 112 [z/z0]5 + 56 [z/z0]3 − 7 [z/z0] }+
a5 { 256 [z/z0]9 − 576 [z/z0]7 + 432 [z/z0]5 − 120 [z/z0]3 + 9 [z/z0] }

….(A)

Tschebyscheff
polynomial of
….(B) order 9

Equate (A) and (B)

Equate (A) and (B)

Replace, z0=1.0851

The first (left) set is normalized with respect to

the amplitude of the elements at the edge while
the other (right) is normalized with respect to
the amplitude of the center element.
 7. The Chebyshev Array factor is

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