Cost-effective array antennas for narrow-beam, wide-angle scanning applications

The design of large antenna arrays that are amenable to a cost-effective fabrication in a lithographic technology is demonstrated. For reducing the inter-element coupling, cavities consisting of metal-plated through-holes are employed. The required bandwidth is achieved by resorting to U-slot patch antennas. The genetic algorithm is used for assembling a 30 elements non-uniform, linear array antenna. Experimental results confirm the predicted behaviour of the antenna.