Virtual array synthesis method for planar array antennas

A new array antenna synthesis method, which we call the virtual array synthesis method, is presented. In this method, the excitation values of a virtual array are synthesized using some known synthesis method. The geometry of the virtual array can be chosen so that there will be a suitable synthesis method for that geometry and the synthesis of the virtual array can be done accurately enough. In the synthesis method presented, the excitation values of the virtual array are transformed into the excitation values of the actual array geometry. Matrix operations are simple and large arrays can be easily synthesized.