Density and element-size tapering for the design of arrays with a reduced number of control points and high efficiency

In the design of Direct Radiating Arrays for satellite communications, where the constraints are generally given in terms of a directivity mask, solutions using a reduced number of uniformly excited radiating elements are particularly attractive because they allow to reduce the array cost and weight and maximize the amplifiers efficiency. In this communication, an innovative architecture exploiting both a density and an element-size tapering is presented, as well as two innovative and computationally effective synthesis strategies. Examples demonstrating the effectiveness of both the proposed architectures and of the relative synthesis techniques are also provided, with reference to an actual problem.