Planar Microstrip Antenna Array for Wide-Scan Angle Active Phased Arrays

Advanced radar programs use low sidelobe, wide angle scan active aperture arrays over a broad bandwidth to ensure the frequency agility and ECCM requirements of modern day radar systems. The design of such a high performance, cost effective active aperture array within the weight, size and volume constraints is very critical right from choosing the array grid architecture, radiating element structures and array feed networks. The microstrip antenna array presented in this paper has been proposed to be used on an airborne large size active phased array aperture, with all these design constraints / criticalities satisfied.