Modeling of broadband finite sized phased array microstrip antennas

The three dimensional finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm is used to analyze broadband "finite sized" phased arrays antennas that are suitable for wireless communications applications. The antennas analyzed are a coaxially-fed and capacitively coupled stacked microstrip. A phase shift in the time domain is implemented to model the effects of scanning angle. A rigorous feed model, suitable for FDTD analysis with the perfectly matched layer (PML) is used. The mutual coupling and active impedance are calculated and compared to measurements.