Phased-Array Antenna Patterns (Part 3)-Linear-Array Beam Characteristics and Array Factor

摘要

This concludes the first segment of this series. We introduced the concept of beamsteering with a phased array. We derived, and showed graphically, the equations to calculate phase shift across the array for beamsteering. Then, we defined array factor and element factor with observations of how the number of elements, the spacing between elements, and the beam angle impacts the antenna response. Finally, we showed a comparison of antenna patterns in cartesian vs. polar coordinates. Upcoming articles in this series will further explore phased-array antenna patterns and impairments. We'll study how antenna tapering reduces sidelobes, how grating lobes are formed, and the impact of phase shift vs. time delay in wideband systems. The series will finish with an analysis of the finite resolution of the delay block and how it can create quantization sidelobes and degrade beam resolution.