Arrays of horizontally polarized loop-fed slotted cylinder antennas

Measured center element gain patterns, voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR), and mutual coupling for passively terminated arrays of horizontally polarized loop-fed slotted cylinder antennas over a ground plane are given. A seven-element hexagonal array is investigated in detail. The element gain pattern is shown to have a null at broadside with omnidirectional coverage along a constant cone angle from broadside. Maximum gain occurs close to from broadside which provides for wide-angle phased array scanning capability. The antennas are also configured in a linear array geometry, to investigate mutual coupling effects on the element gain pattern as the number of elements is varied. The element gain pattern is shown to converge for a relatively few number of elements and there is no indication of undesired blind spots.