Conformal array synthesis

The antenna requirements of RF sensor systems such its radars are becoming increasingly demanding. Electronically beam steered (phased array) antennas, for example, are sought with the constraint that the radiating elements reside directly on the system enclosure surface. The reason is limited enclosure volume and the need to minimize antenna blockage. Arrays that conform to the exterior surface are of special importance to such systems. A computer program has been developed that greatly facilitates the design of conformal arrays to meet a wide range of performance and surface constraints, is not sensitive to the inverse problem difficulties, and is applicable to general sidelobe restriction as well.<>