Ultra-Wideband Phased Antenna Array Time Delay Unit Architecture Optimization in Presence of Component Non-Idealities

Recently reported time delay unit architecture (TDU-A) optimization method based on integer linear programming is investigated for the first time, for practical implementation of ultra-wideband (UWB) phased antenna arrays (PAAs). Specifically, the method is considered for linear UWB PAAs and their feed networks which include non-idealities when practical implementations of their circuit components are pursued. These non-idealities are shown to cause additional time delay errors that were unaccounted for in prior work. The errors are induced by frequency dependent variations in power divider isolation and load mismatch, component VSWRs, and dispersion. Proper modeling of these errors in the TDU-A optimization leads to a TDU-A that has the necessary delay range required to steer the beam towards the desired wide scan angles. For experimental verification, a 16 element linear PAA TDU-A is optimized for operating from 5–30 GHz by modeling the non-idealities of the feed network that is implemented to steer the beams towards boresight, 25°, and 50°. Simulation and measured performances demonstrate the UWB operation with stable radiation patterns.