ANALYSIS OF PRINTED ARRAY ANTENNAS

A simple but efficient analysis tool for printed antenna arrays is pre sented, It relies on a perturbation approach, which starts from the in finite periodic array assumption to ultimately take into account effec ts due to finite size, nonperiodicity, double-periodicity in a multila yer case, complex excitation with nonlinear phase shifts between eleme nts, etc, The technique is an approximation, as are most of the array analysis tools, However, it gives good results for arrays presenting a relatively smooth variation of the antenna characteristics between ad jacent cells, Results will be shown for several arrays, including nonp eriodic and multilayered cases, The method is validated through the co mparison with results obtained by a rigorous element-by-ePlement metho d.