Active antenna array lumped ring configuration

Abstract

Coupled active antenna oscillator arrays are used for power-combining at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. It is known that the relative phase determined by the element separation distance ultimately determines the array operational mode and, hence, far-field radiation characteristics. Separately, it is known that coupled oscillator modal stability is achieved by coupling oscillators through lumped capacitive elements. In this paper, an arrangement whereby lumped capacitive elements (placed across the oscillator loads) and radiative coupling are employed concurrently is investigated. The arrangement takes the form of a ring of coupled oscillators used to excite a 2/spl times/2 antenna array. The effect that these couplings have on array behavior are evaluated using time-domain analysis and analytically derived equations. Experimental results for far-field radiation patterns are discussed in relation to coupled oscillator dynamical behavior. These suggest that the theoretical predictions are valid, offering a robust design tool for studies of larger power-combining arrays.