Analysis of a Vivaldi phased array antenna using the conformal finite difference time domain (CFDTD) method

A pattern multiplication technique for analyzing large finite phased array antennas, which employs the active element distribution computed from the CFDTD, is presented in this paper. Numerically rigorous simulations of the Vivaldi array antenna demonstrate the validity of the proposed technique, even for a relatively small 7x7 array. The accuracy of the technique can be further enhanced by combining the active element pattern of the center element with those of a few representative edge elements, and this topic will be the subject of future investigation.