Antenna Beam Steering Concepts for High Power Applications
Abstract
There is considerable interest in antennas that are high power capable, platform conformal, and steerable. These attributes are often at odds with one another, but we will discuss approaches to mechanically steer the direction of the peak beam of a large-slot array antenna. Traditionally, the slot spacing determines the direction of the radiated main beam of the antenna, and beam steering is accomplished by varying the frequency. But HPM sources are typically incapable of changing the operating frequency on the required time scales. We will show that beam steering can be accomplished by moving in or out, or deforming, the narrow wall of the rectangular waveguide. The first of two concept considers the mathematically tractable wave properties (guide wavelength, propagation constant) associated with simple variations in the dimension of the broad wall of rectanglar waveguide. The second approach involves the deformation of the narrow walls. The properties of this second approach are investigated through finite difference time domain simulation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425763
Entities
People
- Clifton C. Courtney
- Donald E. Voss
- Tom Mcveety