Shaping of Flat-Topped Element Patterns in Phased Arrays of Coupled Multimode Waveguides of Hexagonal Cross Section

Linear and planar phased array antennas of finite dimension with elements in the form of multimode waveguides of hexagonal cross-section coupled between each other via slots cut in their common walls are proposed and considered. Electrodynamical modeling including optimization of geometric parameters in order to shape flat-topped element patterns corresponding to the excitation of element input by waves of different polarization was carried out. The results characterizing the effectiveness of the approach are presented. The results obtained for planar phased arrays of finite dimension are compared with similar results obtained also for element patterns of infinite periodic phased arrays.