A new mathematical approach for linear array analysis

It is well known that linear antenna arrays are representable mathematically by polynomials. However, even for the simplest case of a uniform array, properties of its radiation pattern are conventionally analyzed by examining the transcendental form of the array factor and some of its important characteristics have been determined only approximately. For a more general array, a closed form of the associated polynomial is usually not obtained and the analysis becomes quite difficult. This paper proposes a new approach for linear array analysis. Basically, the current distribution in the discrete elements of a linear array is considered as the sampled values of a continuous function. Known relations in
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, transforms developed for sampled-data systems can then be used to express the array polynomial in a closed form. Mathematical techniques for determining important properties of the array pattern are developed. Typical examples illustrating the applications of this new approach are given.