Phased array system simulator (PASS) — A simulation tool for active phased array design

Abstract

A phased array system simulator to design and optimize complete active phased array front-ends, including the radiation pattern, is presented. It can simulate the radiation pattern in the circuit simulator with the incorporation of the nonideal effects in the circuits and mutual coupling between elements in the antenna array. The effects of any imperfection of practical circuits on the radiation pattern can be analyzed directly. To achieve accurate simulation, the practical simulated or measured active element patterns of the antennas, including mutual couplings, are used instead of array factors. Additionally, the pattern can be optimized and synthesized in the simulation. Furthermore, yield analysis of the complete system can also be performed. As an example, a linear array with eight elements and small element spacing (0.143 λ) is used for pattern synthesis, yield analysis, and non-linearity analysis. With this simulation tool, accurate phased array design tradeoffs can be made.