INVESTIGATION OF WIDEBAND LOW-PROFILE CANTED ANTENNAS FOR BROADSIDE RADIATION IN APERIODIC ARRAYS

摘要

In this paper we describe experimental and simulation results for ongoing research on a family of low-profile antennas. These non-resonant canted sectors are intended to be elements for wideband array applications where traditional patch elements cannot meet the bandwidth requirements. To achieve stable impedance over a wide band, the proposed sectors operate in a non-resonant mode wherein the size is greater than one-half wavelength. Since the elements are too large to operate in a periodic array without suffering grating lobe losses, the intention is to employ them in aperiodic (random) arrays. The results presented here illustrate some of the design compromises among the total height of the antenna above the ground plane, achievable impedance bandwidth, and desired radiation characteristics. Current designs show promise with over 40% instantaneous bandwidths that maintain useful broadside radiation performance. The development of related structures that ameliorate the poor broadside radiation characteristics as frequency increases are also discussed.