Wideband planar array antennas: theory and measurements

The need for a wide bandwidth array is introduced and explained. Basic planar array principles are reviewed as well as previous work performed on wide bandwidth planar array design. An Archimedean spiral is suggested for the array element and a model for the element radiation pattern is presented. A wide bandwidth linear array is then analyzed using the element model. The array is made to operate over a two octave bandwidth by using an alternate number of elements. This idea is then extended to two dimensions to form a wide bandwidth planar array design. An improved array design is then suggested using fewer elements. This array was fabricated and tested and showed close agreement to theoretically predicted radiation patterns.