Wideband characteristics of density tapered array antennas

Abstract

In this paper, wideband characteristics of density tapered arrays are clarified by comparing directly the array factors and radiation patterns of 3 tapered arrays structures with array factors and radiation patterns of equally spaced arrays. Calculated results for a density tapered distribution array consisting of 30 elements claims that the array can perform within a bandwidth of 2.5:1 with grating lobe levels lower than -7.8 dB. Additionally, this paper shows a method of determining the effectiveness of unequal spacing arrays in the design of actual antennas. The method is based on calculation and analysis of input impedance of array elements caused by mutual coupling effects among array elements.