Reduction of Mutual Coupling and Influencing the Antenna-Element Pattern in Array Environment
M. Hambalis
A. Yarovoy – Mentor
M. Polewski – Mentor
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Abstract
For the radar systems using phased array antennas it is important to understand how the reduction of mutual coupling between antenna elements can improve antenna scan performance. In order to perform this analysis one has to focus first on the physical phenomena and the structures that might decrease the mutual coupling. Among various approaches shown in the literature the resonance circuits based on defective ground structures (DGS) showed to have potential to be used between elements in micro‐strip as well as in dielectric resonator array antennas. Based on requirements on operational frequency bandwidth a suitable defected ground structure was synthesized to be applied to arrays of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs). The constraints on spacing between antenna elements (0.5lambda) leaded to a novel DGS that provided the flexibility in the adjustment of structure geometry. This new design allowed to fit the DGS within 0.5lambda grid of DRAs. Moreover, the novel DGS takes into account radiation effects below the ground plane. Tuned DGS structure is further used in infinite arrays where the results illustrate stabilization in the scan performance and bandwidth enhancement. An 11x11 novel antenna‐DGS array in triangular configuration is analyzed where the DGS location is able to benefit E, H plane and diagonal coupled elements. The embedded element analysis indicated bandwidth enhancement in parallel to lower coupling and improved quality for the embedded patterns. In addition, it gives improvement in gain compared to the 11x11 array without DGS elements. It is concluded that reduction of mutual coupling by applying the novel DGS for DRA arrays with strong coupling between antenna elements, can be used as a method to stabilize the active impedance match for various scan angles.