Design of Concentric Ring Antenna Arrays Based on Subarrays to Simplify the Feeding System

Abstract

The global synthesis for antenna arrays that produce a desired radiation pattern is a scientific symmetry problem. This paper deals with the design of concentric ring antenna arrays to simplify the feeding system using a cophasal subarray configuration. This simplification in the feeding network is achieved by the reduction of phase shifters via a proper clustering of radiators applying one amplitude and one phase excitation by subarray in the array system. The array design for this geometry considers an optimization process based in differential evolution to reduce the side-lobe level, resulting in simplification of the feeding network. Simulation results based on CST Microwave Studio and HFSS are provided to verify the accuracy of the array model and to take mutual coupling into account. These simulations are provided using a circular patch as antenna element to generate a scannable array pattern over the elevation plane. Furthermore, an analysis of the manufacturing tolerances was made to verify the reliability of our design.