A Simple Direction Finding Compensation Method of Surface-Mounted Patch Antennas

A simple direction finding (DF) compensation method of surface-mounted patch antennas is proposed. Radiation patterns of an array with complex structure are different with ideal beam patterns, because of mutual coupling with adjacent elements and surrounding structures as well as the characteristics of the element itself. These errors make large direction finding error when amplitude comparison and phase comparison monopulse (interferometer) are used. To solve the problem, the amplitude and phase differences are approximated, and simple DF equations are derived considering search angle, frequency, and polarization of the receiving antennas and incident wave. A surface-mounted five patch antennas are simulated to verify the proposed method. The central element could be used to find the incident wave polarization, or to increase detection range by combining sum pattern.