Fractal Antenna Array Research Articles

New method of the synthesis of multiband fractal antenna arrays based on a family of atomic functions

New method of the synthesis of multiband fractal antenna arrays based on a family of atomic functions

Higher order approaches of FDTD and TVFE methods for the accurate analysis of fractal antenna arrays

In this paper, higher order renditions of two popular numerical methods are proposed for the precise modeling of fractal antenna array structures. Particularly, a higher order finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, which introduces nonstandard differential operators, and second-order curl-conforming vector finite elements with optimized convergence behavior are considered. These techniques attain sufficient accuracy and reduced dispersion errors, even when coarse discretizations are utilized and, therefore, are more preferable compared to lower order approaches, especially in the case of large computational domains. Their enhanced performance is exploited for the rigorous investigation of the radiation properties of several fractal arrays with complex geometrical features.

Fractal antenna engineering: the theory and design of fractal antenna arrays

A fractal is a recursively generated object having a fractional dimension. Many objects, including antennas, can be designed using the recursive nature of a fractal. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the field of fractal antenna engineering, with particular emphasis placed on the theory and design of fractal arrays. We introduce some important properties of fractal arrays, including the frequency-independent multi-band characteristics, schemes for realizing low-sidelobe designs, systematic approaches to thinning, and the ability to develop rapid beam-forming algorithms by exploiting the recursive nature of fractals. These arrays have fractional dimensions that are found from the generating subarray used to recursively create the fractal array. Our research is in its infancy, but the results so far are intriguing, and may have future practical applications.