Wideband smart antenna using non-uniform components

The benefits of using smart antennas to improve the performance of narrowband wireless communication systems have already been demonstrated by many researchers. In this paper, an investigation is performed into a wideband smart antenna, which is envisaged for applications in the next generation of wideband wireless communication systems. In order to simplify the design of such an antenna system, we propose new phased array architecture. It is assumed that such an array is formed by sets of antennas with beamforming networks, each serving only a narrow frequency sub-band. By choosing a suitable number of such antenna sets the array operates over a desired wide frequency band. Computer simulations of this antenna system are performed by neglecting mutual coupling effects and frequency dependence of elements forming each array set. The obtained results show that the system can successfully form beams to the desired direction in a wide frequency band.