Analysis of influence of array plane error on performances of hexagonal phased array antennas

The electromagnetic performance of phased array antenna (PAA) is degraded because of the array plane structural errors caused by manufacturing processing and assembly. It seriously restrict the realization of high performance of the phased array antenna. Therefore, by introducing the plane structural errors into the antenna pattern function as an additional phase factor, a coupled structural-electromagnetic model is developed, which described the effect on the performance of planar hexagonal phased array antenna with the plane structural errors. Then the direct influence relationship of the electromagnetic performances of antenna with the plane installation accuracy and flatness tolerance are analyzed. The critical value of array plane structural errors is given when meet antenna performance requirement. The analysis results provide a theoretical guidance for engineer to set the reasonable tolerance in manufacturing antenna.