Reflection-lobe dispersion in a phased-array antenna

Reflection lobes in phase-scanned arrays with traveling-wave feeds can significantly degrade sidelobe levels. These lobes can be dispersed if the regularity of the feed system can be destroyed. In this communication, an aperture phase distribution is described that provides the maximum reflection-lobe dispersion for an arbitrary reasonably smooth amplitude distribution. This phase distribution is an explicit function of the amplitude distribution. The theoretical limitations on reflection-lobe dispersion in one- and two-dimensional arrays are determined and compared with the calculated properties of a sample linear array. The edge effects are also indicated.