Reduced complexity analysis of microstrip patch arrays, conformally mounted to a cylindrical conducting surface

Abstract

Standard integral equation techniques, such as the moment method (MoM) face difficulties for very large antenna sizes, since the memory and CPU time they require may increase beyond computational limits. The method of auxiliary sources (MAS) demands substantially lower CPU time than MoM, retaining, nevertheless, the MoM accuracy. Unfortunately, its capabilities are depleted when applied to thin or open structures, due to the mandatory proximity of source and collocation points occurring in such geometries. The modified method of auxiliary sources (MMAS) has been developed to circumvent this difficulty, and has been successfully applied to the analysis of microstrip patch antennas, even when the dielectric substrate is thin enough to render conventional MAS inapplicable. In this paper, the MMAS is applied to the analysis of microstrip patch arrays, conformal to cylindrical surfaces, a model that simulates a communication antenna mounted to an aircraft fuselage. Several unpublished features of MMAS are discussed, whereas extensive, recently produced numerical results are presented and compared to reference solutions, validating the reliability and versatility of the method.