An Improved Planar Array Pattern Synthesis for Space Communication Applications

A method is described for synthesis of planar array antenna patterns where both the configuration and the excitation (always pure real) of each radiating element is-determined to achieve the design specifications (desired contour, ripple amplitude and sidelobes of controlled height). The method is based on a repetitive optimization procedure that obtains a very important reduction in the number of elements required (establishing a significant improvement in the aperture efficiency) with respect to the corresponding technique described in [2-3].