Amplitude and phase correction of the radiation pattern in compact planar antenna array for direction finding applications

In the design of compact antenna arrays, high coupling causes identical antennas to present different radiation patterns depending on their position in the array. In direction finding algorithms similar radiators are assumed to have the same radiation pattern, that is why it is important to present a simple procedure to compensate this difference. The purpose of this communication is to present a very compact array design devoted to direction finding applications in emergency situations, together with a correction procedure for the amplitude and phase of the radiation pattern, based on a minimal set of measurements.