Effect of mutual coupling in E and H plane on microstrip antenna array conformal on cylindrical surface

Abstract

Majority of real world shapes can be approximated as cylindrical surface or a cylindrical sector. For microstrip antenna applications one must consider this important perspective in the design and development of conformal antenna array. Antenna array to function as per design parameters, it is required to account for important aspects such as effects of mutual coupling between the antennas elements. Performance of conformal array antennas based on the array excitation, element pattern, and array shape among many other factors that must be known in order to determine its characteristics. Radiation pattern of the antenna array under the matched condition analysis is an important factor especially if the array is designed for scanning. To calculate the element patterns in the actual curved environment, the ideal approach is to include the effect of mutual coupling. To provide near accurate results, it may be worthwhile that we consider simple models that can in many cases are near accurate and easy to understand. These approaches are accurate as well as it serves the basic purpose of illustrating fundamental characteristics of the conformal antenna array. In this paper performance of rectangular microstrip antenna arrays conformal on cylindrical surface with effect of mutual coupling has been presented. Some of the calculations in the array designs are based on simple models.