volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Improving the performance of a microstrip antenna array has been considered based on the innovative use of an absorbing radar cover.Since the surface wave between antennas array elements plays a major role in mutual coupling and scattering behavior of array antenna. The main objective of this work is to reduce the effect of surface wave between array elements using radar absorbing cover.The absorbing cover has been designed with spatial configuration to get maximum performance at the resonant frequency of the fabricated microstrip antenna array.The measured results of the tested antenna array show a significant reduction of both mutual coupling between array patches and radar cross section of the tested antenna array with minimum side effects on the antenna parameters.

1. Lo, Y. T. and S. W. Lee, Antenna Handbook Theory, 1st edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

2. Bhattaacharyya, A. K. and L. Shafai, "Surface wave coupling between circular patch antennas," Electronic Letters, Vol. 22, 1198-1200, October 1986.
doi:10.1049/el:19860821 Google Scholar

3. Lechtreck, L. W., "Effects of coupling accumulation in antenna arrays," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-16, 31-37, January 1968.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1968.1139110 Google Scholar

4. Krusevac, S., P. B. Rapa jic, and R. Kenedy, "Mutual coupling effect on thermal noise in multi-element antenna systems," PIERS Online, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2005. Google Scholar

5. Pozar, D. M. and D. H. Schaubert, "Scan blindness in infinite phased arrays of printed dipoles," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-32, 602-610, June 1984.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1984.1143375 Google Scholar

6. Dubost, G., "Influence of surface wave upon efficiency and mutual coupling between rectangular microstrip antennas," Proceeding IEEE International Symposium Digest on Ant. Prop., Vol. 2, 660663, Dallas (USA), May 1990. Google Scholar

7. Antilla, G. E. and N. G. Alexopoulos, "Surface wave and related effect on the RCS of microstrip dipoles printed on magneto dielectric substrates," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-39, 1707-1715, December 1991.
doi:10.1109/8.121591 Google Scholar

8. Steyskal, H. and J. S. Herd, "Mutual coupling compensation in small array antennas," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-38, 1971-1975, December 1990.
doi:10.1109/8.60990 Google Scholar

9. Mailloux, R. J., "On the use of metallized cavities in printed slot array with dielectric substrate," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-35, 477-487, May 1987.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1987.1144146 Google Scholar

10. Aberle, J. T., "On the use of metallized cavities backing microstrip antennas," IEEE Ant. Prop. Society Symposium, Vol. 1, 60-63, Canada, June 1991. Google Scholar

11. McGahan, R. V. and B. R. Rao, "Electromagnetic backscatter from microstrip arrays: theory and measurement," Phased Array Symposium Proc., RADC-TR-85-171, 23-47, 1985. Google Scholar

12. Jackson, D. R., "A multiple-layer radome for reducing the RCS of microstrip patch,", Vol. 2, 374-377, Dallas (USA), May 1990. Google Scholar

13. Chu, R. S., "Analysis of an infinite phased array of dipole elements with RAM coating on ground plane and covered with layered radome," IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop., Vol. AP-39, 164-176, February 1991.
doi:10.1109/8.68178 Google Scholar

14. Pozar, D. M., "RCS reduction for a microstrip antenna using a normally biased ferrite substrate," IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, Vol. 2, 196-198, 1991. Google Scholar

15. Shimada, K., K, Ishizuka, and M. Tokuda, "A study of RF absorber for anechoic chambers used in the frequency range for power line communication system," PIERS Online, Vol. 2, No. 5, 2006.
doi:10.2529/PIERS050908005522 Google Scholar

16. Gustafsson, M., "RCS reduction of integrated antenna arrays with resistive sheets," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 20, No. 1, 27-40, 2006.
doi:10.1163/156939306775777323 Google Scholar

17. Zhao, S. C., B. Z. W ang, and Q. Q. He, "Broadband radar cross section reduction of a rectangular patch antenna," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 79, 263-275, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIER07101002 Google Scholar

18. Sharm, R., T. Chakra vary, S. Bho oshan, and A. B. Bhattacharyya, "Design of a novel 3 dB microstrip backward wave coupler using defected ground structure," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 65, 261-273, 2006.
doi:10.2528/PIER06100502 Google Scholar

19. Wu, B., B. Li, T. Su, and C. H. Liang, "Equivalent circuit analysis and low pass filter design of split ring resonator DGS," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 20, No. 4, 1943-1953, 2006.
doi:10.1163/156939306779322765 Google Scholar

20. Lagarkov, A. N., V. N. Kisel, and V. N. Semenenko, "Wide angle absorption by the use of a meta-material plate," Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letters, Vol. 1, 35-44, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIERL07111809 Google Scholar

Dr. Abdelmonem Abdelaziz