An Improved Pattern Synthesis Iterative Method in Planar Arrays for Obtaining Efficient Footprints with Arbitrary Boundaries

Abstract

In the present paper, an iterative technique devoted to reproducing efficient footprints with arbitrary boundaries for planar arrays is addressed. The methodology here depicted is based on exploiting the nature of the continuous aperture distribution by expressing it as a Fourier series of moderately high orders. In this manner, the resulting illumination boundary is defined by a target three-dimensional flat-topped pattern composed of stretching and shrinking modified circular Taylor patterns and the maximum order of the series to obtain a good reconstruction is determined by means of the iterative process. Examples and comparisons with the previous literature were conducted by analyzing square and rectangular contoured beams as test cases. Additionally, interesting potentials regarding space applications from a geostationary satellite are outlined by means of the EuTELSAT (European Telecommunications Satellite Organization) European coverage case study. In such a way, its numerical approach was analyzed by including subarray architectures and discussing improvements about dynamic range ratio of the excitations without critical power losses within the illumination region.

Maximizing Antenna Array Aperture Efficiency for Footprint Patterns

“…The synthesis of a rectangular footprint of a 2:1 aspect ratio is exemplified, by starting from a pure real flat-topped beam pattern ( ) with a side-lobe level 25 dB, , filled nulls, and a ripple level of dB; the method depicted in [ 18 ] synthesized a pattern with 25 dB and a ripple level of . The resulting array has 1044 elements spaced.…”

“…More recently, López-Álvarez et al [ 18 ] presented an efficient iterative method that, starting from a circular aperture and removing those elements with low-amplitude excitations, generates footprint patterns.…”

The Design of a Circularly Polarized Antenna Array with Flat-Top Beam for an Electronic Toll Collection System

“…Based on beam-forming techniques or optimization algorithms, the antenna array can generate desired radiation patterns with an optimized distribution of amplitudes and phases for the antenna elements. Commonly used beam-forming methods include the Woodward-Lawson method [23], the Dolph-Chebyshev method [24,25], and the Fourier transform method [26][27][28]. Based on exploiting the nature of the continuous aperture distribution, by expressing it as a Fourier series of moderately high orders, an improved pattern synthesis iterative method in planar arrays was put forward in [28].…”

“…Commonly used beam-forming methods include the Woodward-Lawson method [23], the Dolph-Chebyshev method [24,25], and the Fourier transform method [26][27][28]. Based on exploiting the nature of the continuous aperture distribution, by expressing it as a Fourier series of moderately high orders, an improved pattern synthesis iterative method in planar arrays was put forward in [28]. Li et al presented a flat-top beam-shaping method which simplifies the optimization process by combining the Taylor and Woodward-Lawson methods in [29].…”

Optimizing Radiation Patterns of Thinned Arrays with Deep Nulls Fixed through Their Representation in the Schelkunoff Unit Circle and a Simulated Annealing Algorithm

“…The performance of antenna arrays regarding low side lobe level (SLL) and high directivity, at the same time that there is a far field depression on a certain range of their radiation pattern, represents a very interesting concern on antenna array designs with impact not only on radar [ 1 ] and space applications [ 2 ], but also in the new design strategies for the future 5G communication deployment [ 3 , 4 ], where options such as metamaterial-based antenna designs are becoming of high interest in recent literature [ 5 ]. In this same framework, but concerning channel coding design, low density parity check (LDPC) coding is attracting great attention for improving transmission reliability [ 6 , 7 ].…”