Main Lobe Gain Research Articles

Seven-element ground skirt monopole ESPAR antenna design from a genetic algorithm and the finite element method

The design of an optimized electronically steerable passive array radiator (ESPAR) antenna is presented. A genetic algorithm using a finite element based cost function optimized the antenna's structure and loading conditions for maximal main lobe gain in a single azimuth direction. Simulated gain results of 7.3 dBi at 2.4 GHz were attained along the antenna's elemental axis. The optimized antenna was fabricated and tested with the corresponding experimental gain better than 8 dBi. The 0.7 dB error between simulated and measured gain was constant for numerous structures and therefore did not affect the optimization. The optimized antenna reduced average main lobe elevation by 15.3/spl deg/ to just 9.7/spl deg/ above the horizontal.

Solar panel scattering effects on reflector antennaperformance

The effects of solar panel scattering on a Ku-Band reflector antenna performance are analysed. It is shown from computation and experiment that solar panel scattering interference causes mainlobe gain decrease and sidelobe gain increase on the sum patterns, as well as null position shift and null depth decrease on the difference patterns.