Characterization and optimization of cylindrical polarimetric array antenna patterns for multi-mission applications

Abstract

The radiation characteristics of a cylindrical array antenna for Multifunction Phased Array Radar (MPAR) and terminal MPAR (TMPAR) applications are presented. A probe-fed stacked microstrip patch antenna is used for array elements. In calculations, the embedded element pattern of the patch antenna is obtained by simulation of a 5×5 element planar array. The radiation pattern of the TMPAR- and MPAR-sized cylindrical array antenna is calculated using the coherent addition method which is verified with full-wave simulation. For cross-polarization suppression, the array elements are arranged with identical 2 × 2 element subarrays. The radiation patterns of MPAR and TMPAR cylindrical array antennas with and without image configuration are calculated and compared. It is shown that the low cross-polarization level and azimuthally scan invariant beam characteristics can be achieved by the cylindrical array with image arrangement.