ANALYSIS OF FINITE PHASE ARRAYS OF MICROSTRIP PATCHES

This paper presents a method for the analysis of large phased arrays o f microstrip patches. It is based on an infinite array approach where the edge effects are taken into account through the convolution with a proper window function. In the first step, a rigorous Green's functio n corresponding to a finite array of elementary sources is derived. Th is Green's function is then used to analyze the finite phased array of microstrip patches. Results are shown for the active impedance and el ement patterns of several arrays, and compared with measurements or, i n the case of small arrays, with results obtained by a rigorous elemen t-by-element approach. It is shown that the method, even if developed for the anaysis of large arrays, is able to handle small arrays. Indee d, the results obtained are good even for single patches. Although the method has been developed for the microstrip phased array case, the r esults obtained are general and are valid for any phased array with a rectangular grid.