On the synthesis of plane wave generators: Performance limits, design paradigms and effective algorithms

This paper deals with the synthesis of a “plane wave generator”, i.e. an array able to synthesize a plane wave in the near-zone. In particular, a number of design paradigms are derived and the performance limits are investigated. Numerical results obtained using an effective synthesis algorithm, able to take into account into account the information on the uncertainty on the position and excitation of the array elements during the synthesis process, are presented and discussed.