A Novel and Precise Array Synthesis Method Based on Multiport Network for Reconfigurable Array Antennas

This paper presents a precise multiport network-based array synthesis method (MN-ASM) for designing and ana-lyzing radiation patterns of reconfigurable array antennas (RAAs). The method models the RAA as a multiport network, treating active devices as port loads, with the n-port scattering matrix and electric field obtained through full-wave simulations. Radiation patterns and aperture element distributions are optimized using genetic algorithms (GA). As a case study, a 16×16 1-bit reflective RRA operating at 12.5 GHz is designed for 2-D beam scanning. The MN-ASM results match well with full-wave simulations, verifying the methodology and demonstrating a maximum gain enhancement of 3.46 dB over the conventional array theory approach (ATA).