Sparse focused array antenna based on subarrays

A focused array antenna (FAA) focuses its radiation power in a small spot in its Fresnel Zone. Typically an FAA is fed by a multi-level power divider. However, the bulky feed network leads to a large insertion loss and increase of complexity especially for large FAAs. A simple method to decrease the complexity of the feeding network is presented in this paper. The proposed FAA is composed of several subarrays and is fed on the subarray level. A 2 × 8 FAA working at 10 GHz is explored, the simplified FAA has similar performance but much simpler feeding network compared to a conventional one.

[1]  J. Sherman Properties of focused apertures in the fresnel region , 1962 .

[2]  Paolo Nepa,et al.  Design of a Near-Field Focused Reflectarray Antenna for 2.4 GHz RFID Reader Applications , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[3]  Javad Nourinia,et al.  Near-Field Focused Array Microstrip Planar Antenna for Medical Applications , 2014, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters.

[4]  R. Shavit,et al.  Forward-scattering analysis in a focused-beam system , 1998 .

[5]  E. Rajo-Iglesias,et al.  Holographic Surface Leaky-Wave Lenses With Circularly-Polarized Focused Near-Fields—Part II: Experiments and Description of Frequency Steering of Focal Length , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[6]  A. Buffi,et al.  Design Criteria for Near-Field-Focused Planar Arrays , 2012, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine.

[7]  S. C. Pavone,et al.  On the Near-Field Shaping and Focusing Capability of a Radial Line Slot Array , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[8]  J. Mead,et al.  A Near Field Focused Microstrip Array for a Radiometric Temperature Sensor , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[9]  Shaya Karimkashi,et al.  Focusing Properties of Fresnel Zone Plate Lens Antennas in the Near-Field Region , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[10]  R. Hansen,et al.  Focal region characteristics of focused array antennas , 1985 .

[11]  Shiwen Yang,et al.  Novel Parasitic Micro Strip Arrays for Low-Cost Active Phased Array Applications , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[12]  H.-T Chou,et al.  A Focused Planar Microstrip Array for 2.4 GHz RFID Readers , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[13]  S. Karimkashi,et al.  Focused Microstrip Array Antenna Using a Dolph-Chebyshev Near-Field Design , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[14]  Paolo Nepa,et al.  A Simple Design of Patch Antenna Array With an Optimized Field Distribution in the Near-Zone for RFID Applications , 2014, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters.

[15]  Z. Nie,et al.  Low-Cost Periodic Sparse Cavity-Backed Phased Array Based on Multiport Elements , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[16]  Allan G. Williamson,et al.  Microstrip Antenna Array With a Beam Focused in the Near-Field Zone for Application in Noncontact Microwave Industrial Inspection , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.

[17]  Alice Buffi,et al.  Near field focused microstrip arrays for gate access control systems , 2009, 2009 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium.

[18]  E. Rajo-Iglesias,et al.  Holographic Surface Leaky-Wave Lenses With Circularly-Polarized Focused Near-Fields—Part I: Concept, Design and Analysis Theory , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.