Conformal Array Antenna Theory and Design

This publication is the first comprehensive treatment of conformal antenna arrays from an engineering perspective. There are journal and conference papers that treat the field of conformal antenna arrays, but they are typically theoretical in nature. While providing a thorough foundation in theory, the authors of this publication provide readers with a wealth of hands–on instruction for practical analysis and design of conformal antenna arrays. Thus, readers gain the knowledge they need, alongside the practical know–how to design antennas that are integrated into structures such as an aircraft or a skyscraper.
Compared to planar arrays, conformal antennas, which are designed to mold to curved and irregularly shaped surfaces, introduce a new set of problems and challenges. To meet these challenges, the authors provide readers with a thorough understanding of the nature of these antennas and their properties. Then, they set forth the different methods that must be mastered to effectively handle conformal antennas.
This publication goes well beyond some of the common issues dealt with in conformal antenna array design into areas that include:Mutual coupling among radiating elements and its effect on the conformal antenna array characteristicsDoubly curved surfaces and dielectric covered surfaces that are handled with a high frequency methodExplicit formulas for geodesics on surfaces that are more general than the canonical circular cylinder and sphere
With specific examples of conformal antenna designs, accompanied by detailed illustrations and photographs, this is a must–have reference for engineers involved in the design and development of conformal antenna arrays. The publication also serves as a text for graduate courses in advanced antennas and antenna systems.

Spis treści:
Preface.
Abbreviations and Acronyms.
1 INTRODUCTION.
1.1 The Definition o f a Conformal Antenna.
1.2 Why Conformal Antennas?
1.3 History.
1.4 Metal Radomes.
1.5 Sonar Arrays.
References.
2 CIRCULAR ARRAY THEORY.
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Fundamentals.
2.2.1 Linear Arrays.
2.2.2 Circular Arrays.
2.3 Phase Mode Theory.
2.3.1 Introduction.
2.3.2 Discrete Elements.
2.3.3 Directional Elements.
2.4 The Ripple Problem in Omnidirectional Patterns.
2.4.1 Isotropic Radiators.
2.4.2 Higher–Order Phase Modes.
2.4.3 Directional Radiators.
2.5 Elevation Pattern.
2.6 Focused Beam Pattern.
References.
3 THE SHAPES OF CONFORMAL ANTENNAS.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 360° Coverage.
3.2.1 360° Coverage Using Planar Surfaces.
3.2.2 360° Coverage Using a Curved Surface.
3.3 Hemispherical Coverage.
3.3.1 Introduction.
3.3.2 Hemispherical Coverage Using Planar Surfaces.
3.3.3 Half Sphere.
3.3.4 Cone.
3.3.5 Ellipsoid.
3.3.6 Paraboloid.
3.3.7 Comparing Shapes.
3.4 Multifaceted Surfaces.
3.5 References.
4 METHODS OF ANALYSIS.
4.1 Introduction.
4.2 The Problem.
4.3 Electrically Small Surfaces.
4.3.1 Introduction.
4.3.2 Modal Solutions.
4.3.2.1 Introduction.
4.3.2.2 The Circular Cylinder.
4.3.2.3 A Unit Cell Approach.
4.3.3 Integral Equations and the Method of Moments.
4.3.4 Finite Difference Time Domain Methods (FDTD).
4.3.4.1 Introduction.
4.3.4.2 Conformal or Contour–Patch (CP) FDTD.
4.3.4.3 FDTD in Global Curvilinear Coordinates.
4.3.4.4 FDTD in Cylindrical Coordinates.
4.3.5 Finite Element Method (FEM).
4.3.5.1 Introduction.
4.3.5.2 Hybrid FE–BI Method.
4.4 Electrically Large Surfaces.
4.4.1 Introduction.
4.4.2 High–Frequency Methods for PEC Surfaces.
4.4.3 High–Frequency Methods for Dielectric Coated Surfaces.
4.5 Two Examples.
4.5.1 Introduction.
4.5.2 The Aperture Antenna.
4.5.3 The Microstrip–Patch Antenna.
4.6 A Comparison of Analysis Methods.
Appendix 4A—Interpretation of the ray theory.
4A.1 Watson Transformation.
4A.2 Fock Substitution.
4A.3 SDP Integration.
4A.4 Surface Waves.
4A.5 Generalization.
References.
5 GEODESICS ON CURVED SURFACES.
5.1 Introduction.
5.1.1 Definition of a Surface and Related Parameters.
5.1.2 The Geodesic Equation.
5.1.3 Solving the Geodesic Equation and the Existence of Geodesics.
5.2 Singly Curved Surfaces.
5.3 Doubly Curved Surfaces.
5.3.1 Introduction.
5.3.2 The Cone.
5.3.3 Rotationally Symmetric Doubly Curved Surfaces.
5.3.4 Properties of Geodesics on Doubly Curved Surfaces.
5.3.5 Geodesic Splitting.
5.4 Arbitrarily Shaped Surfaces.
5.4.1 Hybrid surfaces.
5.4.2 Analytically Described Surfaces.
References.
6 ANTENNAS ON SINGLY CURVED SURFACES.
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 Aperture Antennas on Circular Cylinders.
6.2.1 Introduction.
6.2.2 Theory.
6.2.3 Mutual Coupling.
6.2.3.1 Isolated Mutual Coupling.
6.2.3.2 Cross Polarization Coupling.
6.2.3.3 Array mutual coupling.
6.2.4 Radiation Characteristics.
6.2.4.1 Isolated–Element Patterns.
6.2.4.2 Embedded–Element Patterns.
6.3 Aperture Antennas on General Convex Cylinders.
6.3.1 Introduction.
6.3.2 Mutual Coupling.
6.3.2.1 The Elliptic Cylinder.
6.3.2.2 The Parabolic Cylinder.
6.3.2.3 The Hyperbolic Cylinder.
6.3.3 Radiation Characteristics.
6.3.3.1 The Elliptic Cylinder.
6.3.3.2 End Effects.
6.4 Aperture Antennas on Faceted Cylinders.
6.4.1 Introduction.
6.4.2 Mutual Coupling.
6.4.3 Radiation Characteristics.
6.5 Aperture Antennas on Dielectric Coated Circular Cylinders.
6.5.1 Introduction.
6.5.2 Mutual Coupling.
6.5.2.1 Isolated Mutual Coupling.
6.5.2.2 Array Mutual Coupling.
6.5.3 Radiation Characteristics.
6.5.3.1 Isolated–Element Patterns.
6.5.3.2 Embedded–Element Patterns.
6.6 Micr ostrip–Patch Antennas on Coated Circular Cylinders.
6.6.1 Introduction.
6.6.2 Theory.
6.6.3 Mutual Coupling.
6.6.3.1 Single–Element Characteristics.
6.6.3.2 Isolated and Array Mutual Coupling.
6.6.4 Radiation Characteristics.
6.6.4.1 Isolated–Element Patterns.
6.6.4.2 Embedded–Element Patterns.
6.7 The Cone.
6.7.1 Introduction.
6.7.2 Mutual Coupling.
6.7.2.1 Aperture Antennas.
6.7.2.2 Microstrip–Patch Antennas.
6.7.3 Radiation Characteristics.
6.7.3.1 Aperture Antennas 248
6.7.3.2 Microstrip–Patch Antennas.
References.
7 ANTENNAS ON DOUBLY CURVED SURFACES.
7.1 Introduction.
7.2 Aperture Antennas.
7.2.1 Introduction.
7.2.2 Mutual Coupling.
7.2.2.1 Isolated Mutual Coupling.
7.2.2.2 Array Mutual Coupling.
7.2.3 Radiation Characteristics.
7.3 Microstrip–Patch Antennas.
7.3.1 Introduction.
7.3.2 Mutual Coupling.
7.3.2.1 Single–Element Characteristics.
7.3.2.2 Isolated Mutual Coupling.
7.3.3 Radiation Characteristics.
References.
8 CONFORMAL ARRAY CHARACTERISTICS.
8.1 Introduction.
8.2 Mechanical Considerations.
8.2.1 Array Shapes.
8.2.2 Element Distribution on a Curved Surface.
8.2.3 Multifacet Solutions.
8.2.4 Tile Architecture.
8.2.5 Static and Dynamic Stress.
8.2.6 Other Electromagnetic Considerations.
8.3 Radiation Patterns.
8.3.1 Introduction.
8.3.2 Grating Lobes.
8.3.3 Scan–Invariant Pattern.
8.3.4 Phase–Scanned Pattern.
8.3.5 A Simple Aperture Model for Microstrip Arrays.
8.4 Array Impedance.
8.4.1 Introduction.
8.4.2 Phase–Mode Impedance.
8.5 Polarization.
8.5.1 Polarization Definitions.
8.5.2 Cylindrical Arrays.
8.5.2.1 Dipole Elements.
8.5.2.2 Aperture elements.
8.5.3 Polarization in Doubly Curved Arrays.
8.5.3.1 A Paraboloidal Array.
8.5.4 Polarization Control.
8.6 Characteristics of Selected Conformal Arra