Active impedance analysis of finite phased array microstrip antennas using the finite difference time domain method

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm is used to analyze E-plane and H-plane finite linear phased arrays of stacked microstrip antennas fed with coaxial lines. A rigorous feed model, suitable for FDTD analysis is presented. The S-parameters, mutual coupling and the active impedance for the array are calculated and compared with measured data. Measurements from two eight element linear arrays of stacked microstrip antennas are used to validate the FDTD model.