ARRAYS

 The gain of a single antenna element is not sufficient for

most applications. Under these circumstances we use
arrays.
 Arrays are used to increase gain, directivity and reduce
beam width
 Arrays are used for long distance communication.
 Using arrays it is possible to scan the beam or radiation
pattern electronically, the electronic scanning may be
either in phase control or frequency control.
 Array antenna are extremely useful in both airborne
and ground based application.
1
The shape of the overall radiation pattern of the array
antenna depends five controls.

 The geometrical configuration of the overall

array (linear, circular, rectangular, spherical,
etc)
 The relative displacement between the
elements
 the excitation amplitude of the individual
elements
 The excitation phase of the individual elements
 the relative pattern of the individual elements

2
 Two element uniform array
An array of radiators is defined as a system of antenna
which are similar or non-similar and either similarly
oriented or different oriented.
P Observer

Antenna 1 Antenna 2
d

3
Two antennas be placed along a straight line separated
by a distance ‘d’ meter

If the point P is faraway form the array. Ray A and

Ray B can be assumed to be parallel.
The path different between the two ray paths

rA  rB  d cos  (1)
rB  rA  d cos  (2)
Due to spacing phase difference  d   d cos 
Excitation phase difference is e
Total phase difference    d cos    e

4
The resultant field in phasor form when the two
antennas are uniformly excited
60IdL
i
E R  E A (1  e ) EA  sin 
r
The magnitude of total field strength

E R  E A (1  e i )
 E A (1  cos  j sin  )

 EA  (1  cos ) 2
 ( sin  ) 2 
 E  1  cos 
A
2
 2 cos  sin  2

5
  EA  2(1  cos  1  cos   2 cos 2  / 2

 EA  4 cos  / 2 
2
ER  2E A cos / 2

 d cos   e 
ER  2 E A cos   
 2 2
The far-zone field of a uniform two-element array of
identical elements is equal to the product of the field
of a single element at origin and the array factor of
that array.
E (total)  [ E (sin gle element at reference point ] x [ array factor]

 d cos   e 
AF  cos   
 2 2
6
In practical applications two-element array is rarely
used. Mostly arrays with more number of elements are
used to get high directivity and gain.

d= Spacing between elements

θ= angle between the axis of the array and line of
observer
EA= Field strength due to antenna A

λ= operating wave length

β= wave number

e = excitation phase

7
Two element radiation pattern

d  2  0 d   2   180

d   0
8
 N-Element Linear Array ; Uniform
Amplitude and Spacing

A uniform linear array is an array where the elements

are spaced and excited equally along a straight line.

These arrays are suitable for production of narrow

radiation patterns beams.

These types of radiation pattern are required for

point to point communication at high frequencies.

9
Consider a uniform linear array of non-directional
elements of figure shown.

10
Phasor diagram

11
Assume that N is the number of antennas in the array
d= spacing between antenna elements
r1, r2, r3, …………….rN

If the field of antenna 1 is E1

The field of antenna 2 is E1 ejψ
The field of antenna 3 is E1 ej2ψ

The field of antenna N is E1 ej(N-1)ψ

total field strength

E R  E1 (1  e ji  e j 2  e j 3  .........  e j ( N 1) ) (1)

   d cos    e
12
Multiplying (1) by ejψ on both side

E R e i  E1 (e ji  e j 2  e i 3  .........  e jN ) (2)

subtracting equation (1) from (2)

E R (e j  1)  E1 (e jN  1)

E R e jN  1
 j
E1 e 1
e j 1  cos   j sin   1

 (cos   1)  sin 
2 2
 2(1  cos )

13
 j 1 
e  2 sin
2
jN 1 N
e  2 sin
2
 N 
 sin 2 
E R  E1  
 sin  
 2 
N
sin
AF  2

sin
2
14
For small value of Ψ, the expression can be approximated

N
sin
AF  2

2

To normalize the array factors

 N  N 
1 
sin  sin   
AF   2
   2 
N  sin   N
 2 

2
15
 First Side Lobe Ratio(SLR)
SLR is defined as the ratio of the first side lobe level to
the main beam level.
N
sin
We know that 2
E

sin
2
Side lobe maximum occurs, approximately at the centre
between the nulls. That is they occurs
N  
  2m  1) 
2  2
16
The first lobe Max occurs at m=1

N   3
  2  1)   
2  2 2
3
sin
2 1
E 
3  3 
sin sin  
2N  2N 
For large N 1

2N
 3  3
sin  
 2N 
2N
Amplitude of first secondary lobe 
3
17
Amplitude of main lobe  N
N
sin
Lt 2
2N  0 
sin
SLR  3
2 2

N 3

SLR  0.212
In dB is equal to

SLR  20 log 10 (0.212)

SLR  -13.47dB
18
 Beam width of Broadside Array

Broad side array is one in which a number of identical

parallel antennas are set up along a line draw
perpendicular to their axis.

In many applications it is desirable to have the maximum

radiation of an array directed normal to the axis of the
array θ = 90

19
Broad side array show in figure

Here the individual elements are equally spaced along a

straight line. Each element is fed with currents of equal
magnitude, in phase and fires maximum radiation in the
broad side direction.
20
i.e perpendicular to the line of array axis. The radiation
patters of BSA is perpendicular to the line of array axis
and bi-direction which radiates equally in both direction
of maximum radiation. i.e 90 and 270

Beam width can be define as the angle between the first

null or major lobe maxima double the angle between the
first null.

21
In BSA sources are in phase e  0
ψ=0 for Max    d cos    e

 d cos   0   90 (or) 270

N
sin
AF  2

sin
2
N
it is evident that nulls occurs at  k
first null occurs 2
2
1   e  0
N п/2 ∆θ
22
 
 1   d cos (   )
2
2
  d sin 
N
2 2
  d   
N N d

  
Nd
Beam width for BSA = 2 ∆θ

2 114.6
B WFN   B. W  
Nd L 

23
The direction of minor lobe maxima
N  
  2m  1)  wher e m  1,2,3......
2  2
 
   2m  1) 
 N
Total phase difference is    d cos    e
BSA source are in phase e  0
 
  2m  1)    d cos
 N
(2m  1)
cos  
N d
24
  (2m  1) 
( min or ) max  cos 
-1

 2 N d 

 3 
m=1 minor lobe maxima  1   
N 
3 
( )   d cos (   )
N 2
3
 ( )   d sin 
N
3
  
N d
1.5
  
Nd
25
Direction of minor lobe minima (or) Null directions
N
Null occur  k  wher e k  1,2,3......
2
 2k

N
 2k
  d cos min  0
N
 2k  k
cos min  
N d Nd
 k
 min 1
 cos
Nd
26
Half power beam width

BWFN  57.3
HPBW    L  Nd
2 Nd L / 

Directivity of BSA for N-Element linear array

 N 
 sin   d cos   
( AF ) n 
1
  2 
N 1 
 sin   d cos  
 2 

27
Small spacing between the elements d<<λ can be
approximated by
 N  
 sin   d cos   
( AF ) n    2  
 N
 d cos  
 
 2 
Radiation intensity can be written as
2
 N 
 sin  2  d cos   
2
 sin( Z ) 
U ( )  ( AF ) n     
 Z 
2

 N  d cos   
 2 
 
N
Z   d cos
2

28
The directivity of the array factor is U max
D0 
U0
Where Umax =1 and it occurs at θ=90.

the average value U0 of the intensity is

1
U0  Prad
4
2
1 2   sin( Z ) 
U0 
4  
0 0  Z  sin  d d
2
1   sin( Z ) 
U0    Z  sin  d
2 0

N
Z   d cos
2
29
 N
dZ    d sin  d
2
2dZ
sin  d  
N d

 Nd 2
1  sin( Z )  2dZ
U0    2
 Nd  Z  Nd
2 2

Nd 2
1  sin( Z ) 
U0 
Nd  2
 Nd
2
 Z  dZ

For a large array Nβd/2 is large i.e infinity

30
 2
1   sin( Z ) 
U0 
N d    Z  dZ

2 
  sin( Z )  U0 

  Z  dZ   Nd

U max Nd
D0  
U0 

2 Nd L
D0  2
 

31
Let N=4, d=λ/2, m=1 Draw the radiation pattern of BSA

 3
( ) max  cos    41.4 (or)  138.43
-1

 4

1
 min 1
 cos   60 or  120
2

32
 Beam width of End Fire Array (EFA)

End Fire Array is same as that of BSA except that the

individual elements are fed with currents out of phase by
180 degrees.
Number of identical elements are placed equally along a
line and are fed with a current of equal magnitude.
The end fire array may be defined as an array of
elements for which radiation maximum occurs along the
axis of the array θ = 0 or 180 degree.

33
 Radiation pattern of End Fire Array

   d cos    e
ψ=0 and θ =0  e   d
ψ=0 and θ =180 e   d
Beam width can be define as the angle between the first
null or major lobe maxima double the angle between the
first null.

34
 N
it is evident that nulls occurs at  k
2
2
first null occurs  1   for EFA  e   d
N
 2
  d cos    d
N
 2
 d   d cos 
N
 2  2  2
 d   d (1 -  
N 2! 4!

 2   2 4
  d( )  2

N 2  dN

35
 2
 
Nd

Beam width for EFA = 2 ∆θ

2
B WFN  2
Nd

The direction of minor lobe maxima

N  
  2m  1)  wher e m  1,2,3......
2  2
 
   2m  1) 
 N
36
 EFA source are out of phase  e   d

(2m  1)
  d cos ( ) max   d
N
 ( 2m  1) 
( ) max 1
 cos   1
 2 Nd 

Direction of minor lobe minima (or) Null directions

N
Null occur  k  wher e k  1,2,3......
2
 2k

N
37
  2k
  d cos min  d
N
 2k
  d (cos min  1)
N
 2k 2 ( ) min
  d (2 sin )
N 2

m
 min  2 sin 1

2 Nd

38
Directivity of EFA for N-Element linear array
For EFA maximum radiation in the θ=0
 N  
 sin  2  d (cos   1 
( AF ) n     
 1 
 N sin   d( cos   1) 
 2 

Small spacing between the elements d<<λ can be

approximated by

 N 
 2
sin  d (cos   1
( AF ) n    
 N  
 2  d( cos   1)  
  

39
Radiation intensity
2
 N 
 sin   d (cos   1
U ( )  ( AF )    
2 2
  N  d( cos   1)  
  2  
 

2
 sin( Z ) 

 Z  

N
Z   d (cos  1)
2

40
The directivity of the array factor is U max
D0 
U0
Where Umax =1 and it occurs at θ=0

the average value U0 of the intensity is

1
U0  Prad
4
2
1 2   sin( Z ) 
U0 
4  
0 0  Z  sin  d d
2
1   sin( Z ) 
U0    Z  sin  d
2 0
2dZ
dZ  
N
 d sin  d sin  d  
2 N d

41
 2
1  N d  sin( Z ) 
U0 
N d 0  Z  dZ

For a large array Nβd is large i.e infinity

2
 sin( Z ) 
2
1    sin( Z ) 
U0 
N d 0  Z  dZ

0  Z  dZ   / 2


U0 
2 N d
U max 2 Nd 4 Nd L
D0   D0  4
U0   

42
 Multiplication of patterns

Obtaining desire radiation pattern using principles of

multiplication of patterns.

This can be used has the great advantage that it

possible to sketch rapidly, almost by inspection, the
patterns of complicated arrays. Because of the fact the
method is a useful tool in the design of arrays.

43
Consider a four element array of antennas the spacing
between units is d= λ/2 and the currents are in phase.

θ
d d d
λ

The pattern can be obtained directly by adding the four

electric fields due to the four antennas.

44
The same radiation pattern can be obtained from the
following considerations.
The pattern of antennas (1) and (2) operation as a unit,
two antennas spaced λ/2 and fed in phase. The resultant
radiation pattern is figure of eight pattern.
Also antenna (3) and (4) may be considered as another
similar unit with the same radiation pattern.

d   2 e  0

45
The elements 1 and 2 are consider as one unit A, the
antenna 3 and 4 are consider as another unit B are
separated by λ.

These two units are considered to be one unit whose

radiation pattern is shown in figure.

λ.

46
The resultant pattern is given by the product of unit
pattern λ/2 spacing of 1 and 2 antenna (or) 3 and 4
antennas and group pattern λ spacing of A and B.

X =

47
Consider BSA an array of eight elements spaced one-half
wave length draw the resultant multiplication of pattern.

Centre of the first four element and last four elements

are marked A and B. The unit pattern is pattern of four
elements and group pattern is the pattern of two
elements spaced at 2λ.

The resultant pattern is product of unit pattern and

group pattern.

48
 X =

Advantage : It helps to sketch the radiation pattern of

an array antennas rapidly from the simple product of
element pattern and array pattern
disadvantage : the principle is applicable only for arrays
containing identical elements.

49
 Binomial array
The array of even number of
isotropic elements 2M, where M
is the integer is positioned
symmetrically along the z-axis
as shown in figure. The
separation between the
elements is d
The Advantage of the binomial
array is that there will be no
side lobes in the resultant
pattern of the array.
50
 Now the array factor of non uniform amplitude
broadside array can be written as

Normalized form

Here an is the excitation coefficient of array

51
For odd elements the structure is shown in figure

52
Total number of isotropic element of array is odd 2M + 1,
the array factor can be written as

Normalized form

53
The amplitude excitation of centre element is 2 a1 array
factor of the Binomial arrays.

Determine the excitation coefficient of binomial array

54
The function (1+x)n-1 may be written by using binomial
expansion.

55
The above represents pascal triangle. If the values of m
are use to represent the number of element of array, then
the coefficient of the expression represent the relative
amplitudes of the elements.
The array coefficient determine by the from binomial
expansion, the array known as binomial array

56
 Dolph Tschebyscheff Array
It is compromises between uniform and Binomial array.
A Dolph Tschebyscheff array radiation pattern contain
one main beam and side lobes with the same levels.

A Dolph Tschebyscheff array with no side lobes levels

reduces to the binomial design, the excitation coefficient
become identical in both methods.

57
The array factor of even or odd number of element with
symmetrical amplitude excitation

The array factor of even or odd number of element with

symmetrical amplitude excitation is nothing more than
summation M or M+1 cosine terms.
The largest harmonic cosine term is one less than the total
number of elements of the array.

58
Each cosine term whose argument is a integer times of
fundamental frequency , can be written as a series of
cosine function with fundamental frequency argument.

The above equation obtained by using the Eules expression

59
Trigonometric identity sin 2 u  1  cos 2 u
cos u  z

The relation between cosine fn s and Tschebysheff

polynomials are valid only  1  z  1

The recursive formula for Tschepbseheff polynomial

60
 Phased (Scaning ) Array
 In the uniform linear arrays (Broad side and end fire)
the radiation is obtained in normal in Broad side array
and along the axis in the end fire array.
 It is then logical to assume that the maximum radiation
can be oriented in any direction to form a scanning or
phased array
 Let us assume that the maximum radiation of the array
is required to be oriented at angle θ0(0◦ ≤ θ0 ≤ 180◦).
 To accomplish this, the phase excitation αe between the
elements must be adjusted so that

61
    d cos    e   0   d cos 0  e
0

 e   d cos 0
 Hence by controlling the progressive phase difference
between the elements, the maximum radiation can be
squinted in any desired direction to form a scanning
array.
 This is the basic principle of electronic scanning phased
array operation.
 Since in phased array technology the scanning must be
continuous, the system should be capable of continuously
varying the progressive phase between the elements.
 This is accomplished electronically by the use of ferrite
or diode phase shifters.
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 Ferrite phase shifters
 The phase shift is controlled by the
magnetic field within the ferrite , which in
turn is controlled by the amount of current
flowing through the wires wrapped around
the phase shifter.
 Diode phase shifter
 Using balanced, hybrid-coupled varactors,
the actual phase shift is controlled either by
varying the analog bias dc voltage (typically
0–30 volts) or by a digital command through
a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter

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 Circular Array
 In a circular array, the radiating elements are placed along
the circumference of a circular with uniform spacing.
These arrays find wide applications in radio direction
finding air and space navigation and radar and sonar
systems. Circular arrays provided highly directional
radiation characteristics which are useful in many
applications. The scanning of the main beam through 360 in
the azimuthal plane important feature of this array.

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