A simplified computational procedure for the analysis of planar arrays

A simplified procedure for inverting the mutual impedance matrix of a uniform-spaced planar array of dipoles is presented. It relies on the special features of this matrix being symmetric block-Toeplitz and having a nilpotent off-diagonal part. Active radiation impedances and voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) values are then evaluated for various element positions and scan angles. The array-element patterns and far-field radiation patterns are then derived. Some specific examples are given to exhibit the significant reduction in computational effort. It is concluded that this method may be generalized to the analysis of higher order excitation modes and to nonuniform spaced arrays.