Design approach of multibeam using phased array antenna aided with butler matrix for a fixed coverage area

Abstract

This paper devises a framework of phased array antennas to radiate multiple beams for a fixed coverage. The phased antenna array is chosen so that the beamforming can be fixed in selected coverage area. The antenna arrays are employed with a Butler matrix (BM) to form required phases of excitation coefficients to the radiating elements. Optimally designed 4 × 4 or 8 × 8 Butler matrix is utilized at the I/O ports of the phased antenna array. The grating lobes are reduced by using the principle of orthogonality to the feeds of subarray (group of column arrays of phased array). This article also exploits the concept of skirt elements to reach the desired coverage area while reducing the beam overlapping in the restricted area. Simulation studies highlight the proposed claims with elaborated numerical analysis of different case studies.