Optimal Pattern Synthesis for Polarimetric Phased Array Antenna Using Representative Array Patterns

To reduce pattern measurements and synthesis computations for an optimal array pattern, a set of full array patterns, named as representative array patterns (RAPs), is proposed, the number of which is smaller than that of the active element patterns (AEPs). Each RAP corresponds to one beam named as the representative beam. By optimizing the directions of these representative beams, the measured RAPs can be a good substitute for all AEPs. Compared with using the AEPs, the measurement cost and the computation time of the proposed method are proportionally cut. Considering the results of multiple evaluated directions, the optimal arrangement of representative beams is analyzed. Relative to using the AEPs, a highly consistent performance is achieved, of which the correlation coefficient of copolarization patterns can exceed 98%. For the simulated 10 $\times 10$ array antenna, since merely 67 RAPs are utilized, a 33% reduction in pattern measurements and synthesis computations is obtained. This relative reduction ratio reaches 39% for the 16 $\times 16$ array antenna and 50% for the 32 $\times 32$ array antenna. The stability of the proposed method under multiplicative and additive pattern measurement errors is presented. Moreover, the proposed method is verified on a practical C-band 4 $\times 4$ dual-polarized microstrip patch array antenna.