Ring Concentric Modular Antenna Array

Abstract

Modern requirements for the Active Phased Array Antenna (APAA) characteristics lead to the use of a large number of elements of an antenna array with each element of APAA corresponds to a receiving, transmitting or receiving-transmitting module. This article considers the problem of increasing the distance between the antenna array elements in order to reduce its number while maintaining the directional scanning properties. This issue is addressed by presenting the model of a modular circular antenna array with considered advantages and disadvantages. Radiation pattern side lobe level (SLL) and the width of the main lobe at different scan angles are presented. The main advantage of the presented array model is its modular structure. It is possible to adjust the modules of the array to obtain the smallest SLL and control diffraction peaks during operation. Such solution results in improved overall performance, simplified design of concentric APAA and improved manufacturability.