Compensation method for distorted planar array antennas based on structural–electromagnetic coupling and fast Fourier transform. Issue 6 (15th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Congsi; Wang, Yan; Zhou, Jinzhu; Wang, Meng; Zhong, Jianfeng; Duan, Baoyan
• Is Part Of: IET microwaves, antennas & propagation. Volume 12:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 954
• Page End: 962
• Publication Date: 2018-02-15
• Subjects: planar antenna arrays -- compensation -- electromagnetic coupling -- fast Fourier transforms -- active antenna arrays -- antenna phased arrays -- antenna radiation patterns -- microwave antenna arrays; distorted planar array antennas -- structural–electromagnetic coupling -- active phased array antenna electromagnetic performance -- effective compensation techniques -- combined coupled structural‐electromagnetic model -- two‐dimensional fast Fourier transform -- excitation current compensation calculation model -- high‐quality pattern -- sidelobe areas -- space‐based array antenna simulation -- space environment -- heat power -- electric devices -- X‐band active phased array antenna -- electromagnetic performance compensation; Microwaves -- Periodicals; Microwave antennas -- Periodicals; Antennas (Electronics) -- Periodicals; Radio wave propagation -- Periodicals; Microwave communication systems -- Periodicals; 621.381305
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-map.2017.0814
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8725

Abstract

Abstract : Complex operating environment could introduce serious degradation to the electromagnetic performance of active phased array antenna in both the main lobe and sidelobe areas. The effective compensation techniques become the key for antenna to perform in reliable service condition. Therefore, a method combined coupled structural‐electromagnetic model with two‐dimensional fast Fourier transform for compensation is presented. A compensation calculation model of the excitation current for planar array is established accordingly, quantitatively expressing the relationship between the excitation current compensation and the structure error. The adjustment quantities of excitation amplitude and phase can be quickly obtained and implemented to recover a high‐quality pattern from a distorted antenna in both the main lobe and sidelobe areas. Lastly, the simulation of the space‐based array antenna is illustrated to compensate its property under the impact of space environment and heat power from its electric devices. Furthermore, an experiment platform of an X‐band active phased array antenna with 32 × 24 elements is built and tested for the electromagnetic performance compensation. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can guarantee the performance of the service antenna quickly and effectively in the whole observation area.