Pattern Synthesis for a Conformal Wing Array
Abstract
Future aircraft may utilize the large aerodynamic areas of the wings for electrodynamics by structurally embedding conformal phased array antennas. We explore this concept with a computer model for a line array wrapped around a wing. The model uses a realistic wing profile and array element patterns which include the effects of mutual coupling and the local radius of curvature. The study has two objectives: I) demonstrate a pattern synthesis method for this non-conventional array shape, and 2) determine whether low sidelobe patterns can be realized. We find pattern synthesis based on altering projections is a flexible and highly efficient synthesis method. High quality patterns with uniform low sidelobes achieved for most beam directions, except in a narrow sector about the difficult forward direction, where there appears to be a sidelobe floor of roughly -23dB.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA458802
Entities
People
- Hans Steyskal
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory