Computer aided design of a planar phased array

The complex design process of a planar multilayer phased array antenna in microstrip technology can be simplified using two commercially available design tools HP-EEsof Touchstone^TM and Ansoft Ensemble^TM. Touchstone^TM is employed to analyse and optimise PIN diode switches and phase shifters while Ensemble^TM is used to analyse radiating layers and associated feeding networks. The approach allows prediction of the performance of a phased array prior to its manufacturing. This is demonstrated in the design example of a 12-element circular phased array operating at L-band