Conformal microstrip phased array for aircraft tests with ATS-6

The development of a novel -band microstrip phased array for aircraft is described. The array is electronically steerable in elevation, conformal to the surface of an aircraft, 0.14-in thick, low cost in production quantities, installed without cutting large holes in the aircraft, and capable of 12-dB gain relative to right hand circular isotrope. The microstrip radiating element is described, and its operation is explained. The array design is considered in relation to ground plane curvature, grating lobes, sidelobes, beam shape and gain. A technique for obtaining phase resolution from 3-bit phase shifters is presented. The design of simple loaded line and switched line phase shifters is reported.