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What Is An Antenna Array?

This document provides a comprehensive overview of antenna arrays, explaining their principles, types, and functionalities, including Broadside, End-fire, and Collinear arrays. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using antenna arrays, such as increased gain and complexity, as well as the concept of phased arrays for electronic beam steering. Additionally, it includes references for further study and applications in various fields like military radar and wireless communication.

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yoziscijunior
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6 views6 pages

What Is An Antenna Array?

This document provides a comprehensive overview of antenna arrays, explaining their principles, types, and functionalities, including Broadside, End-fire, and Collinear arrays. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using antenna arrays, such as increased gain and complexity, as well as the concept of phased arrays for electronic beam steering. Additionally, it includes references for further study and applications in various fields like military radar and wireless communication.

Uploaded by

yoziscijunior
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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yes

Certainly! Below is a deep, comprehensive explanation of antenna arrays, including detailed


discussions on their principles, types, phased arrays, and specific array types (Broadside, End-
fire, Collinear), along with advantages, disadvantages, and applications. I also provide
authoritative references for further study.

Antenna Arrays: In-Depth Explanation


1. What is an Antenna Array?
An antenna array is a set of multiple individual antenna elements arranged and fed in a
coordinated manner to function as a single antenna system. The primary goal of an antenna
array is to improve the overall radiation characteristics such as gain, directivity, and beam
shaping, which are difficult to achieve with a single antenna element.

How It Works
Each antenna element in the array radiates electromagnetic waves. By controlling the relative
amplitude and phase of the signals feeding each element, the waves interfere constructively or
destructively in different directions. This interference pattern shapes the overall radiation pattern
of the array, allowing it to focus energy in desired directions and suppress it in others.

2. Why Use Antenna Arrays? Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Increased Gain and Directivity: Combining multiple elements increases the effective
aperture, resulting in higher gain and narrower beamwidth.
Beam Steering: By adjusting the phase of each element’s feed, the main beam can be
electronically steered without physically moving the antenna.
Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): Directional radiation reduces interference and noise
from unwanted directions.
Spatial Diversity: Arrays can mitigate multipath fading by receiving signals from multiple
paths.
Flexibility: Arrays can be designed for various radiation patterns and frequency bands.
Disadvantages
Complexity: Requires precise control of amplitude and phase for each element, increasing
design and operational complexity.
Cost: More elements and associated feeding networks increase cost and size.
Mutual Coupling: Interaction between closely spaced elements can distort the radiation
pattern and impedance.
Physical Size: Arrays can be large, especially at lower frequencies where element spacing
is larger.

3. Types of Antenna Arrays

3.1 Broadside Array


Configuration: Elements are arranged linearly with equal spacing, and all elements are fed
in phase.
Radiation Pattern: Maximum radiation is perpendicular (broadside) to the axis of the array.
Characteristics:
Symmetrical radiation pattern.
Beamwidth depends on the number of elements and spacing.
Applications: FM radio broadcasting, radar systems requiring wide-area coverage.

3.2 End-fire Array


Configuration: Elements are arranged linearly, but fed with a progressive phase shift so
that the beam points along the axis of the array.
Radiation Pattern: Maximum radiation is along the axis of the array (end-fire direction).
Characteristics:
Narrow beamwidth along the array axis.
Requires precise phase control.
Applications: Point-to-point communication, long-range radar.

3.3 Collinear Array


Configuration: Multiple dipole elements are stacked vertically (collinear) and fed in phase.
Radiation Pattern: Produces a narrow beam in the horizontal plane with increased gain.
Characteristics:
Used to increase gain in the horizontal direction.
Common in base station antennas.
Applications: Mobile communication base stations, broadcast antennas.
4. Phased Arrays

What is a Phased Array?


A phased array is an antenna array where the relative phase of the signal feeding each element
can be dynamically controlled, allowing the beam to be electronically steered in real-time without
mechanical movement.

Characteristics
Electronic Beam Steering: Beam direction is controlled by adjusting phase shifts.
Beam Shaping: Amplitude and phase control can shape the beam pattern.
Fast Response: Beam direction can be changed rapidly, useful in radar and communication
systems.
Adaptive Beamforming: Can dynamically nullify interference and optimize signal reception.

Advantages
No moving parts → increased reliability and faster scanning.
Multi-beam capability for simultaneous tracking of multiple targets.
Flexibility in beam pattern design.

Disadvantages
High complexity and cost due to phase shifters and control electronics.
Requires precise calibration.
Power consumption can be high.

Applications
Military radar systems.
Satellite communication.
5G and beyond wireless communication.
Radio astronomy.

5. Detailed Look at Specific Arrays

5.1 Broadside Array


Beam Direction: Perpendicular to the array axis.
Feeding: All elements fed in phase.
Advantages:
Simple feeding network.
Symmetrical radiation pattern.
Disadvantages:
Beam cannot be steered electronically without additional phase control.
Applications:
FM radio broadcasting.
Surveillance radar.

5.2 End-fire Array


Beam Direction: Along the axis of the array.
Feeding: Progressive phase shift between elements.
Advantages:
High directivity along the array axis.
Useful for long-range directional communication.
Disadvantages:
More complex feeding network.
Sensitive to phase errors.
Applications:
Point-to-point microwave links.
Directional radar.

5.3 Collinear Array


Beam Direction: Horizontal plane, narrow beamwidth.
Feeding: Elements stacked vertically and fed in phase.
Advantages:
Increased gain in horizontal direction.
Compact vertical profile.
Disadvantages:
Limited vertical beamwidth control.
Applications:
Base station antennas.
Broadcast antennas.
6. Mathematical Insight (Optional)
For a linear array of N elements spaced by distance d, the array factor (AF) is:

Where:
= amplitude of nth element
= wave number
= phase shift of nth element
= angle of observation
By adjusting and , the radiation pattern can be shaped and steered.

7. Summary Table
Array Feeding
Beam Direction Advantages Disadvantages Applications
Type Phase

Simple, FM radio,
Perpendicular All elements No electronic
Broadside symmetrical surveillance
to axis in phase beam steering
pattern radar

Progressive High Complex feeding, Point-to-point


End-fire Along axis
phase shift directivity phase sensitive links, radar

Increased Base stations,


Horizontal In phase, Limited vertical
Collinear horizontal broadcast
plane vertical stack control
gain antennas

References
1. Balanis, C. A. (2015). Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design (4th ed.). Wiley.
The definitive textbook covering antenna fundamentals, array theory, and design.
2. Stutzman, W. L., & Thiele, G. A. (2012). Antenna Theory and Design (3rd ed.). Wiley.
Comprehensive coverage of antenna arrays and phased array systems.
3. Hansen, R. C. (2009). Phased Array Antennas (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Focused on phased array antenna design and applications.
4. Online resource: Antenna Theory - Antenna Arrays
A practical and accessible explanation of array concepts.

If you want, I can also provide example calculations, diagrams, or simulation references to
deepen your understanding further!

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