Certain characteristics of linear phased arrays were studied by invest
igating the influence of element width on the ultrasonic beam steering
properties. The beam directivity patterns were analyzed and used as t
he criteria for determining optimal transducer design parameters. An a
pproximate value of the critical interelement spacing, whilst squelchi
ng undesirable grating lobes, was obtained analytically using a Taylor
's series expansion. The effect of element size on the pressure in the
steering direction was also studied. This work showed that the influe
nce of element size on steering characteristics is marginal and a simp
le solution for discrete point sources can be used as a very close app
roximation to that of phased arrays. It was recommended to use the lar
gest possible element width to produce the highest pressure while supp
ressing the grating lobe amplitude. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All
rights reserved.