Lecture: 22

Antenna Array-VIII

Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker

School of Electronics Science Engineering

Microwave and Photonics Division
VIT University, Vellore, India

Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker

Planar Array
If the elements (or antennas) are placed as a 2D grid, such an
array is termed as planar array
In planar arrays we have additional degrees of freedom to shape the
beam when compared to linear arrays

Planar arrays have another

advantage, where it can steer the
beam in a 3600 azimuth

They have applications as

tracking radar, remote sensing,
communications etc

Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker

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Planar Array
The array factor of a planar array follows the same procedure as
linear array
If M elements are placed along x - axis, then
M
AF am e j m 1kd x sin cos x
m 1

Similarly if N elements are placed along y - axis, then

N

j n 1 kd y sin sin y
AF an e
n 1
The total array factor can be written as
M N

j n 1 kd y sin sin y
AF amn e j m 1 kd x sin cos x
e
m 1 n 1
Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker
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Planar Array
The normalized array factor finally takes the form

M N
1 sin 2 x 1 sin 2 y

AF ,
M sin x N y
sin
2 2
Where
x kd x sin cos x
y kd y sin sin y
The directivity can be obtained using same procedure as we applied
for a broadside or end-fire array
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Circular Array
If the elements of an array are arranged on the circumference of a
circle then such an array is referred as circular array
It has many applications in
radio direction finding, air and
space navigation, radar,
wireless communication etc
The array factor can be
obtained from
N
e jkRn
E r , , an
n 1 Rn
Where Rn is the distance from
nth element to observation
point
Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker
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Circular Array

Rn r a 2ra cos
2 2
1/ 2

If r >> a Rn r a cos n
r a a a r
r asin cos n

Therefore the array factor is

N
AF an e j ka sin cos n n

n 1

Where n is the phase excitation of nth element with reference to

center of array
Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker
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