Title :
A novel technique for increasing the scanning range of infinite arrays of microstrip patches
Author :
Waterhouse, Rodney B.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Queensland Univ., Brisbane, Qld., Australia
Abstract :
A novel technique to reduce the magnitude of the active reflection coefficient at large scan angles for microstrip patch arrays is proposed. The method involves loading each element of the array with a varactor diode and then varying the bias to the varactor in order to reduce the impedance mismatch at the appropriate scan angle. A rigorous full-wave analysis in conjunction with an equivalent circuit model of the varactor diode was implemented to analyze the proposed loaded patch array. Significant improvement in the scan performance of the array was predicted using this technique.<>
Keywords :
active antennas; equivalent circuits; impedance matching; microstrip antennas; microwave antenna arrays; scanning antennas; spectral-domain analysis; varactors; active reflection coefficient; antenna efficiency; equivalent circuit model; full-wave analysis; impedance mismatch; large scan angles; loaded patch array; microstrip patch infinite arrays; probe fed patches; scanning range improvement; varactor diode; Diodes; Equivalent circuits; Feeds; Impedance; Microstrip antenna arrays; Mutual coupling; Probes; Reflection; Spectral analysis; Varactors;
Journal_Title :
Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, IEEE
