A geometrical optics method of pattern synthesis for linear arrays

A unique phase expression is given which allows synthesis of a wide variety of shaped radiation patterns for a linear array. The accompanying amplitude distribution is found by a stationary phase evaluation of the radiation integral and is shown to be functionally related to the desired radiation pattern. Because of the optical type of approximation (stationary phase) used to evaluate the radiation integral, the method is most applicable to antennas with large size-to-wavelength ratios.