Pattern synthesis and calibration methods for conformal array antennas

This paper presents pattern synthesis methods and calibration methods for the conformal array antennas (CAAs). First, the authors show two types of the pattern synthesis methods, the projection method and the null points adjusting method. These have been developed in order to obtain low sidelobe characteristics for the CAAs. Next, the authors present the rotating-element electric-field vector (REV) method for CAA calibration. This method is able to measure relative amplitude and phase of an electric field vector radiated from each element antenna including mutual coupling effects by only measuring the composite power radiated from the array. The authors also present the modified REV method. This can measure amplitude and phase error of each bit of a digital phase shifter by the composite amplitude and phase.