Abstract
The next generation radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) are expected to contain thousands of antenna array elements operating over a broad frequency range where the signals from each antenna element are combined and processed simultaneously providing high sensitivity with multiple beams providing a wide field of view. One crucial design aspect influencing both the performance and the cost of such systems is the array geometry. Due to the large bandwidth and number of broadband antenna elements, the optimization of such array system is difficult to achieve with the current array geometry optimization techniques which rely mainly on genetic algorithms and pattern search techniques. This paper provides a study of the effects of array geometry on the performance broadband array system. In addition, it provides a method where the array geometry can be more easily optimized for different applications. This is demonstrated for optimizing a typical SKA station in the frequency band between (70-450 MHz).
Highlights
L ARGE scale broadband antenna arrays refer to arrays of thousands or millions of combined antenna elements operating over bandwidths of several octaves
The proposed Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a new generation of radio telescopes with over a million square meter of collecting area operating over a broad frequency range from (0.07–10 GHz) [2]
This paper provides a study of the effect of array geometry on the performance of broadband array antenna for large number of elements
Summary
L ARGE scale broadband antenna arrays refer to arrays of thousands or millions of combined antenna elements operating over bandwidths of several octaves. These techniques have been applied for various narrowband and broadband applications These previous array geometry studies are useful for optimizing arrays of small to moderate size (few hundred elements) due to the computational complexity. This paper provides a study of large scale broadband array geometry and its effect on various performance aspects such as directivity, sidelobes and beam width. It presents a technique which facilitates the optimization of such large scale broadband array systems for a wide range of applications.
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