The Effect of Element Packing on the Complete Radiation Patterns of Arrays

摘要

A limited study was made to determine the optimum number, spacing, and configuration of point sources in arrays simulating circular and square continuous-plane radiators. The criteria for comparison of the directivity patterns of the array and the continuous radiator were specified as agreement of each lobe within 1 dB in level and 1 degree in location. Circular and square arrays of both odd and even numbers of point sources arranged in square and hexagonal configurations were investigated. An array was analyzed by reducing it to the equivalent shaded line in the plane of the pattern. A computer then was programmed to produce the pattern of the line. It was found that the pattern of an array of an even number of points arranged at the corners of squares of side 0.2 wavelength simulates that of a plane piston within the prescribed limits, except within a half-wavelength of the array and in the region near 90 degrees to either side of the principal axis. (Author)