Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Antenna arrays'

Antenna arrays are groups of antenna elements spaced in a geometrical pattern. By changing the phase excitation of each element, the array is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves strongly in a chosen direction with little or no radiation in another direction, thus controlling the array's radiation pattern without physically moving any parts. An antenna array of sub-arrays replaces conventional antenna elements with compact circular arrays with potential for improved performance. This thesis expands on the concept by exploring the development, realisation and operation of an array of subarrays. The overall size of the array essentially remains the same, but the array's performance is improved due to having steerable directive subarrays. The negative effects of strong mutual coupling between closely spaced elements of a subarray are analysed and a number of new solutions for element decoupling are proposed.

Thesis (M.S. in Engineering Science (Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003.
Thesis advisor(s): David C. Jenn, Roberto Cristi. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-76). Also available online.

Acquisition of ultra-wideband signals by means of array antennas requires essentially frequency-independent radiation characteristics over the entire bandwidth of the signal in order to avoid distortions. Factors contributing to bandwidth limitation of arrays include array factor, radiation characteristics of the array element, and inter-element mutual coupling. Strictly speaking, distortion-free transmission or reception of ultra-wideband signals can be maintained if the magnitude of the radiated field of the array remains constant while its phase varies linearly with frequency over the bandwidth of interest. The existing wideband-array synthesis methods do not account for all factors affecting the array bandwidth and are often limited to considering the array factor and not the total field of the array in the synthesis process. The goal of this study is to present an ultra-wideband array synthesis technique taking into account all frequency-dependent properties, including array total pattern, phase of the total radiated field, element field, element input impedance, and inter-element mutual coupling. The proposed array synthesis technique is based on the utilization of frequency-adaptive element excitations in conjunction with expressing the total radiated field of the array as a complex Fourier series. Using the proposed method, element excitation currents required for achieving a desired radiation pattern, while compensating for frequency variations of the element radiation characteristics and the inter-element mutual coupling, are calculated. An important consideration in the proposed ultra-wideband array design is that the "phase bandwidth", defined as the frequency range over which the phase of the total radiated field of the array varies linearly with frequency, is taken into account as a design requirement in the synthesis process. Design examples of linear arrays with desired radiation patterns that are expected to remain unchanged over the bandwidth of interest are presented and simulated. Two example arrays, one with a wire dipole as its element and another using an elliptically-shaped disc dipole as the element are studied. Simulation results for far-field patterns, magnitude and phase characteristics, and other performance criteria such as side-lobe level and scanning range are presented. Synthesis of two-dimensional planar arrays is carried out by employing the formulations developed for linear arrays but generalized to accommodate the geometry of planar rectangular arrays. As example designs, planar arrays with wire dipoles and elliptical-shaped disc dipoles are studied. The simulation results indicate that synthesis of ultra-wideband arrays can be accomplished successfully using the technique presented in this work. The proposed technique is robust and comprehensive, nonetheless it is understood that the achieved performance of a synthesized array and how closely the desired performance is met also depends on some of the choices the array designer makes and other constraints, such as number of elements, type of element, size, and ultimately cost.
Ph. D.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2004.
Thesis advisor(s): David C. Jenn, Siew Yam Yeo. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-64). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2005.
"Submitted to Department of Electronic Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-153).

This thesis addresses radiation pattern synthesis problems for small linear periodic phased arrays (with array elements less then 10). Due to the small array size conventional pattern synthesis techniques fail to produce the required results. In the case of practical small arrays, mutual coupling and element pattern asymmetric effect degrade the array radiation performance. The main performance metrics considered in this thesis include side lobe level (SLL), gain, halfpower beamwidth (HPBW) and mainbeam scan direction. The conventional pattern synthesis approaches result in sub optimal gain, SLL and HPBW due to the limited number of elements and the mutual coupling involved. In case of difference pattern synthesis these factors resulted in lower difference pattern slope, degraded SLL and difference peak asymmetry. The sum and difference patterns are used in monopulse arrays and a simplified feed that could produce both patterns with acceptable radiation properties is of interest and has been examined (chapter 5). A conventional technique is applied to small arrays to synthesise a sector beam and there is limited control over the radiation pattern. It is shown that the mutual coupling has significant effect on the array radiation pattern and mitigation is necessary for optimum performance (chapter 6). Furthermore, wideband phased arrays may have a natural limitation of the HPBW in low gain applications and minimisation of the variation becomes important. Also the SLL variations for wideband antenna arrays in the presence of mutual coupling considerably degrade the radiation pattern. The mutual coupling degrades significantly the radiation pattern performance in case of small scanning wideband arrays (chapter 7). It is the primary goal of this thesis to develop an optimisation scheme thatis applied in the above scenarios (chapters 3 & 4). The only degree of freedom assumed is the array excitation. Optimised amplitude and phase for each element in the array are determined by the proposed scheme, concurrently. The deterministic optimisation techniques reported in the literature for the pattern synthesis may involve complicated problem modelling. The heuristic opti-misation techniques generally are computationally expensive. The proposedIntelligent z-space Boundary Condition-Particle Swarm Optimiser (IzBC-PSO)is based on a heuristic algorithm. This scheme can be applied to a wider rangeof problems without significant modifications and requires fewer computationscompared to the competing techniques.In order to verify the performance of IzBC-PSO antenna array measure-ments were performed in the receiving mode only using the online and offlinedigital beamforming setups described in chapter 8. The measurement resultsshow that the proposed scheme may be successfully applied with both onlineand offline digital beamformers for a practical small array (chapter 8).

Doutoramento em Engenharia Electrotécnica
Wireless communications have undergone over the last decades a tremendous progress as a consequence of the exponential growth in demand for mobile devices, and nowadays are more and more involved in people's lives. This presence is re ected through the use of a large number of applications of which they become increasingly dependent on. The antenna, in its most di erent forms, are crucial elements in the establishment this type of communication. Each application involves a number of speci c characteristics, whereby, the improvement of wireless communications is related to the appropriateness of the used antenna. Many applications require antennas with radiation pattern with its particular shapes (in terms of beamwidth, side lobes levels, direction, etc ..), static or dynamic (adaptive antennas), involving in most cases the use antenna arrays to meet to such constraints. In this thesis, a number of techniques to synthesize antennas consisting of planar arrays with nonuniform excitation of their elements, are addressed. A group of the direction of arrival and beamforming estimation algorithms are also presented and analyzed, in order to enable their application in adaptive antenna array with dynamic beamforming. A vast and diversi ed set of arrays with di erent radiation requirements, and for di erent applications were developed. These arrays have great applicability in current research topics in antennas, such as vehicle communications, Wi-Fi in sports venues and smart antennas.
As comunicações sem os têm sofrido, ao longo das ultimas décadas, um enorme progresso em consequência do aumento exponencial da procura de dispositivos móveis, estando hoje em dia cada vez mais presentes na vida das pessoas. Esta presença re ete-se através do uso de um elevado número de aplicações das quais se tornam cada vez mais dependentes. As antenas, nas suas mais diversi cadas formas, são elementos cruciais no estabelecimento deste tipo de comunicações. Cada aplicação envolve um conjunto de características especí cas, pelo que a melhoria das comunica ções sem os está relacionada com a adequação da antena usada. Muitas aplicações necessitam de antenas com diagramas de radiação com formatos próprios (em termos de larguras de feixe, níveis de lobos secund ários, direção, etc..), sejam eles estáticos ou dinâmicos (antenas adaptativas), implicando na maioria dos casos o uso de agregados de antenas para fazer face a tais condições. Nesta tese são abordadas várias técnicas de desenho de antenas constituídas por agregados planares, com alimentação não uniforme dos seus elementos. Um conjunto de algoritmos de estimação dos ângulos de chegada e de formação de feixe são também apresentados e analisados com vista à sua aplicação em agregados de antenas adaptativas, com formação de feixe dinâmico. Um vasto e diversi cado conjunto de agregados com diferentes requisitos de radiação, destinados a diferentes aplicações foram desenvolvidos. Estes agregados têm grande aplicabilidade nos atuais tópicos de investiga ção em antenas, tais como as comunicações veiculares, Wi-Fi em espaços desportivos e smart antenas.

Array antennas are used extensively in remote sensing applications, where a highly directive beam is needed to scan a particular area of interest on the surface of the earth. The research presented here focuses on the design of different microstrip patch antenna arrays to be used in environmental sensing applications in the X and Ka frequency bands, such as measurements in Snow and Cold Land Processes (SCLP) to detect snow accumulation, snow melt, etc. The goal of this research is to produce highly integrated, low loss, and compact size antenna arrays, while maintaining low power consumption. Multilayer organic (MLO) System-on-a-Package (SOP) technology, using laminates such as Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and RT/Duroid®, provides a lightweight and low cost 3D solution for the fabrication of the antenna arrays. The elements of the antenna arrays are rectangular patches. Two feeding mechanisms, aperture coupling and via feed, were implemented and compared. For the RF distribution network and interconnects, a corporate feed approach was used with reactive T-junctions, Wilkinson dividers, or both, for power division. The feed networks were designed using microstrip. The basic multilayer antenna array design consists of 3 layers of cladded laminate material. The metal layers are as follows: 1) patch antennas, 2) ground plane, 3) feed network, and 4) surface-mount components. The surface mount components would include LNA, PA, TR switch and phase shifter.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2006.
"Submitted to Department of Electronic Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-189)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2005.
"Submitted to Department of Electronic Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-162)

ITC/USA 2005 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2005 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Multiple discrete antennas distributed around the circumference of a large missile and driven by one transmitter are sometimes used to radiate telemetry omnidirectionally. But driving discrete antennas separated by several wavelengths around the missile body with a single transmitter can result in an antenna pattern with deep nulls in the roll plane. Varying the relative signal phase or amplitude among the signals driving the antennas as well as the polarization of the antennas can be used to change the nulls in an attempt to decrease the null depth. In this paper the effects of phase, amplitude, and polarization on the roll-plane pattern are examined and measurement data presented.

In some antenna applications, having high directivity while keeping the antenna dimensions small is desired, which can be obtained by use of superdirective arrays. Superdirective arrays have been popular in academic world since a superdirective array provides higher directivity than the uniformly excited antenna array of same length. In this thesis, superdirective arrays are investigated by making high precision numerical computations. Superdirective array element excitations, array factors and directivities are inspected for different number of elements. Superdirective array pattern and directivity features are compared to uniformly excited array pattern and directivities. Superdirective array tolerance is investigated by examination of array element excitation sensitivities. Bandwidth of superdirective arrays is also inspected. Multiple Precision Toolbox is used during numerical computations in Matlab.

Reduced-control antenna arrays reduce the number of controls required for beamforming while maintaining a given array aperture. A reduced-control array for direction finding (DF), inspired by the concept of compressive sensing (CS), was recently proposed which uses random compression weights for combining antenna-element signals into fewer measurements. However, this compressive array had not been studied in terms of traditional characteristics such as directivity, sidelobe level (SLL) or beamwidth. In this work, random compression weights are shown to be suboptimal and a need for the optimisation of compressive arrays is expressed. Existing codebook optimisation algorithms prove to be the best starting point for the optimisation of compressive arrays, but are computationally complex. A computationally efficient codebook optimisation algorithm is proposed to address this problem, which inspires the compressive-array optimisation algorithm to follow. Compressive antenna arrays are formulated as a generalisation of reduced-control arrays and a framework is presented for their optimisation in terms of SLL. By allowing arbitrary compression weights, compressive arrays are shown to improve on existing reduced-control techniques. A feed network consisting of interconnected couplers and fixed phase shifters is proposed, enabling the implementation of compressive arrays in microwave hardware. The practical feasibility of compressive arrays is illustrated by successfully manufacturing a 3-GHz prototype compressive array with integrated antenna elements.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020.
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
PhD
Unrestricted

Design of antenna arrays for present day requirements has to take into account both mechanical and electrical aspects. Mechanical aspects demand the antennas to have low profile, non-protruding structures, structures compatible to aerodynamic require­ments and so on. Electrical aspects may introduce several constraints either due to. technical reasons or due to readability conditions in practice. Thus, arrays of modern requirements may not fall into the category of linear or planar arrays. Further, due to the nearby environment, the elements will generate complicated individual patterns. These issues necessitate the analysis and synthesis of antenna arrays which are arbi­trary as far as the orientation, position or the element pattern are concerned. Such arrays which may be called arbitrary arrays are being investigated in this thesis. These investigations have been discussed as different aspects as indicated below: Radiation Characteristics of Arbitrary Arrays Radiation fields of an arbitrarily oriented dipole are obtained. Such fields are plotted for typical cases. Further, methods for transforming the electromagnetic fields are discussed. Having obtained the field due to an arbitrary element, the fields due to an arbitrary array are obtained. Factors controlling the radiation fields, like, the curvature in the array and element pattern are investigated. Radiation patterns of circular and cylindrical arrays are plotted. Synthesis of a Side Lobe Topography Requirements of a narrow beam pattern generated by an antenna array are identified. A problem of synthesizing such a pattern using an arbitrary array is formulated. The envelope of the side lobe region which may be called, the side lobe topography (sit), is included in the computation of the covariance matrix. This problem which has been formulated as a problem of minimizing a quadratic function subjected to a system of linear constraints is solved by the method of Lagrangian multipliers. An iterative procedure is used to satisfy all the requirements of the pattern synthesis. The procedure has been validated by synthesizing linear arrays and is used to synthesize circular and parabolic arrays. Patterns with tapered sit, Taylor-like sit have been synthesized. Asymmetric patterns are also synthesized. Role of sit is brought out. Shaped Beam Synthesis Synthesis of shaped broad beams is discussed. Amplitude constraints are formulated. Phase distribution is linked with the phase centre. Quadratic problems thus formu­lated are solved by the Lagrangian method of undetermined multipliers. An iterative procedure is made use of to synthesize flat topped beams as well as cosecant squared-patterns using linear arrays as well as circular arrays. Reasonable excitation dynamic has been obtained. Optimum phase centres obtained by trial and error are made use of. Effects of the Frequency and Excitation on the Synthesized Patterns In general, synthesized patterns can be sensitive towards any specific parameter either excitation or to frequency or any such parameter. Several methods can be used to observe these issues. In this thesis, these effects are also studied. Using a specific array configuration, to synthesize a specified radiation pattern, frequency is changed by 10% from the design frequency and the pattern is computed. Similarly, excitation phase distribution is rounded to the nearest available phase distribution using a digital phase shifter (say 8 bit) and the resulting pattern is computed. Further, excitation dynamic is also controlled by boosting the amplitudes of the array elements which are less than the permissible (i.e. the maximum excitation/allowed dynamic). Effects of these variations are also recorded. It appears that reasonable patterns can be obtained, in spite of significant variations in these parameters in most of the cases. Reconfigurable Arbitrary Arrays It would be very useful if a single array configuration can be used for different ap- plications. This may be either for the different phases of a single application or for different applications that may be required at different times. Attempts are made to synthesize a variety of patterns from a single array. Such arrays which may be called as reconfigurable arrays can be of much use. Obviously, the excitations are different for different patterns. Both narrow beams, as well as shaped broad beams, with different side lobe topographies have been synthesized using a single array.

Design of antenna arrays for present day requirements has to take into account both mechanical and electrical aspects. Mechanical aspects demand the antennas to have low profile, non-protruding structures, structures compatible to aerodynamic require­ments and so on. Electrical aspects may introduce several constraints either due to. technical reasons or due to readability conditions in practice. Thus, arrays of modern requirements may not fall into the category of linear or planar arrays. Further, due to the nearby environment, the elements will generate complicated individual patterns. These issues necessitate the analysis and synthesis of antenna arrays which are arbi­trary as far as the orientation, position or the element pattern are concerned. Such arrays which may be called arbitrary arrays are being investigated in this thesis. These investigations have been discussed as different aspects as indicated below: Radiation Characteristics of Arbitrary Arrays Radiation fields of an arbitrarily oriented dipole are obtained. Such fields are plotted for typical cases. Further, methods for transforming the electromagnetic fields are discussed. Having obtained the field due to an arbitrary element, the fields due to an arbitrary array are obtained. Factors controlling the radiation fields, like, the curvature in the array and element pattern are investigated. Radiation patterns of circular and cylindrical arrays are plotted. Synthesis of a Side Lobe Topography Requirements of a narrow beam pattern generated by an antenna array are identified. A problem of synthesizing such a pattern using an arbitrary array is formulated. The envelope of the side lobe region which may be called, the side lobe topography (sit), is included in the computation of the covariance matrix. This problem which has been formulated as a problem of minimizing a quadratic function subjected to a system of linear constraints is solved by the method of Lagrangian multipliers. An iterative procedure is used to satisfy all the requirements of the pattern synthesis. The procedure has been validated by synthesizing linear arrays and is used to synthesize circular and parabolic arrays. Patterns with tapered sit, Taylor-like sit have been synthesized. Asymmetric patterns are also synthesized. Role of sit is brought out. Shaped Beam Synthesis Synthesis of shaped broad beams is discussed. Amplitude constraints are formulated. Phase distribution is linked with the phase centre. Quadratic problems thus formu­lated are solved by the Lagrangian method of undetermined multipliers. An iterative procedure is made use of to synthesize flat topped beams as well as cosecant squared-patterns using linear arrays as well as circular arrays. Reasonable excitation dynamic has been obtained. Optimum phase centres obtained by trial and error are made use of. Effects of the Frequency and Excitation on the Synthesized Patterns In general, synthesized patterns can be sensitive towards any specific parameter either excitation or to frequency or any such parameter. Several methods can be used to observe these issues. In this thesis, these effects are also studied. Using a specific array configuration, to synthesize a specified radiation pattern, frequency is changed by 10% from the design frequency and the pattern is computed. Similarly, excitation phase distribution is rounded to the nearest available phase distribution using a digital phase shifter (say 8 bit) and the resulting pattern is computed. Further, excitation dynamic is also controlled by boosting the amplitudes of the array elements which are less than the permissible (i.e. the maximum excitation/allowed dynamic). Effects of these variations are also recorded. It appears that reasonable patterns can be obtained, in spite of significant variations in these parameters in most of the cases. Reconfigurable Arbitrary Arrays It would be very useful if a single array configuration can be used for different ap- plications. This may be either for the different phases of a single application or for different applications that may be required at different times. Attempts are made to synthesize a variety of patterns from a single array. Such arrays which may be called as reconfigurable arrays can be of much use. Obviously, the excitations are different for different patterns. Both narrow beams, as well as shaped broad beams, with different side lobe topographies have been synthesized using a single array.

In this thesis, the antenna arrays researched and modelled using Sensor Array Analyzer- application (SAA) from MATLAB. The objective is to explore the array modelling capabilities of the SAA application. This thesis shows that SAA is versatile software for modelling the radiation patterns using 2D or 3D plots, but there are couple of missing features. SAA allows user to import the used code to MATLAB for code modification. Data imported from MATLAB to SAA using variables, for example importing dipole, antenna locations for conformal array and complex coefficients for beamforming. Antenna array wideband usage at SAA discussed and example shown. At SAA, grating lobes seen at 2D and 3D plots and grating lobe- diagram is also used and explained. SAA has no built-in option for mutual coupling compensation. Other practical method for modelling and compensation of mutual coupling are discussed
Tässä kandidaatintyössä tutkittiin eri geometrian omaavia antenniryhmiä ja niiden mallinnusta MATLAB-ohjelmiston lisäosan SAA:n (Sensor Array Analyzer) avulla. Tehtävänä oli tutkia antenniryhmän eri osa-alueiden mallinnuksen mahdollisuuksia ja rajoituksia kyseisellä ohjelmistolla. Tutkimuksen tuloksena todetaan, että SAA on monipuolinen ohjelmisto antenniryhmien säteilykuvioiden graafiseen havainnollistamiseen 2D- tai 3D-muodossa, vaikkakin muutama perusominaisuus puuttui. Työssä tutkittiin, miten SAA-ohjelmistosta voidaan siirtää käytetty koodi MATLAB-ohjelmistoon sen mahdollista lisämuokkausta varten ja kuinka MATLAB-ohjelmistosta tuodaan tietoa SAA-ohjelmistoon erilaisina muuttujina. Muuttujia tarvitaan esimerkiksi, kun ohjelmistoon tuodaan antennin säteilykuvio, tai sovellettu antenniryhmä sekä niiden kompleksiset kertoimet keilanmuodostusta varten. Laajakaistaisten antenniryhmien säteilykuvion mallinnusta testattiin ja havainnollistettiin. Sivukeiloja, joilla on sama teho pääkeilan kanssa, tarkasteltiin ja niiden havainnollistamiseen luotua diagrammia testattiin. Antennien välisen keskinäiskytkennän mallintamisen mahdollisuuksia tarkasteltiin ja sen vaikutusta säteilykuvioon pohdittiin. Tämän työn tarkoituksena oli selvittää SAA-ohjelmiston pääpiirteiset ominaisuudet ja heikkoudet. Kyseistä tietoa käytetään antenniryhmien keilasynteesiä tutkiessa. Antenniryhmiä voi mallintaa huomattavasti nopeammin ja helpommin käyttämällä SAA-ohjelmistoa, kuin kirjoittamalla itse MATLAB-koodi tai simuloimalla antenniryhmän sähkömagneettinen 3D-malli. Ohjelmiston heikkoudetkin voidaan välttää muokkaamalla koodia haluamalla tavalla. Antenniryhmiä tullaan tulevaisuudessa hyödyntämään IoT-laitteissa ja langattomassa 5G teknologiassa

Dual-band antenna elements that support dual-polarization provide ideal performance for applications including space-based platforms, multifunction radar, wireless communications, and personal electronic devices. In many communications and radar applications, a dual-band, dual-polarization antenna array becomes a requirement in order to produce an electronically steerable, directional beam capable of supporting multiple functions. The multiple polarizations and frequency bands allow the array to generate multiple simultaneous beams to support true multifunction radar. Many of the applications in spaced-based systems and personal electronic devices have strict restraints on the size and weight of the antenna element, favoring a low-profile, lightweight device. The research performed in this dissertation focuses on the design of a dual-band, dual-polarized antenna element capable of operating as an isolated element or in an array environment. The element contains two concentric, dual-polarized radiators. The low band radiator is a shorted square ring antenna, and the high band radiator is a square ring slot. Each constituent element achieves circular polarization through the introduction of triangular perturbations into opposing corners of the radiating element. This technique has been shown to introduce two, near-degenerate modes in the structure that – when excited in phase quadrature – combine to form circular polarization. The perturbations allow circular polarized operation with only a single feed point. The sense of the circular polarization is determined by the location of the feed point with respect to the perturbations. Both senses of circular polarization are excited by the introduction of orthogonal feeds for each of the two radiating elements. Thus, dual-ban, dual-circular polarization is obtained. The element achieves a low-profile from its printed circuit board realization. The high band square ring slot is realized in stripline. The orthogonal feeding transmission lines are printed on opposing sides of an electrically thin dielectric layer to allow them to cross without physically intersecting. This thin feeding substrate is sandwiched between two dielectric layers of matched dielectric constant. A ground plane is located on the top and bottom of the sandwiched dielectric structure, and the top ground plane contains the square ring slot with perturbed corners. Slotted stripline structures have been shown in the literature to excite a parallel-plate mode that can degrade overall performance of the antenna. Plated through holes are introduced at the outer perimeter of the square ring slot to short out this parallel-plate mode. The plated through holes (also called vias) serve as the shorting mechanism for the low band microstrip shorted square ring radiator. This element also contains triangular perturbations at opposing corners to excite circular polarization with a single feed point. In this element, orthogonal probe feeds are present to excite both senses of circular polarization. A dual-band, dual-polarized antenna element was built, tested, and compared to simulations. The constructed element operated at two distinct industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency bands due to their popularity in low power communications. The antenna element was realized in a multilayer printed circuit layout. A complex design procedure was developed and submitted to a printed circuit board company who manufactured the antenna element. The s-parameters of the antenna were measured using a Network Analyzer, and the results show good agreement with simulations. The radiation and polarization characteristics were measured in a compact range facility. These results also agreed well with simulations. The measured results verify the simulation models that were used in the simulations and establish a confidence level in the feasibility of constructing this element. The dual-band, dual-polarization nature of this element was established through the construction and measurement of this element. A novel size reduction technique was developed that allows for significant reduction of the element's footprint. This size reduction facilitates the placement of this element within an array environment. The loading technique utilizes a structure analogous to a parallel-plate capacitor to drastically reduce the overall size of the low frequency shorted square ring. The loading structure uses a substrate that is separate from that of the radiating elements. This allows the load to use a high dielectric material to achieve a high capacitance without requiring the radiating elements to be printed on high dielectric material that is potentially expensive and lossy at microwave frequencies. The two frequency bands were selected to be in separate industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands. These frequency bands are increasingly popular in low power communication devices because unlicensed operation is permitted. The 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz ISM bands are commonly used for applications including Bluetooth technology, multiple 801.11 protocol, cellular phone technology, and cordless phones. The ISM bands were chosen for this antenna element due to their popularity, but this antenna is not restricted to these bands. The frequency ratio can be altered by controlling the dielectric constant used in the printed circuit board design, the parameters of the capacitive loading structure, and the size of the constituent elements that are used. After the size reduction technique is applied, the dual-band, dual-polarized elements can be placed in an array environment resulting in an array capable of generating both senses of circular polarization in the two, distinct ISM bands. This provides an aperture capable of supporting multiple functions. Depending on the applications required, the frequency bands of the antenna element can be altered to suit the particular system needs. The array analysis performed in this dissertation used a unique hybrid calculation technique that utilizes nine active element patterns to represent the patterns of the individual elements within a large antenna array. A common first look at array performance is achieved by multiplying the element pattern of an isolated element by an array factor containing the contributions of the geometrical arrangement of the antenna elements. This technique neglects mutual coupling between elements in the array that can alter the impedance match and radiation characteristics of the elements in the array. The active element pattern defines the radiation pattern of a given element in an array when all other elements are terminated in a matched impedance load. The active element pattern is unique for each element in an array. When these patterns are summed, the exact array pattern is obtained. While this technique has the advantage of accuracy, it is not ideal because it requires the simulation, calculation, or measurement of the pattern for each element in the array environment. The technique developed in this dissertation uses only nine active element patterns. These elements are then assigned to represent the active element patterns for all elements in the array depending on the geometrical region where the given element resides. This technique provides a compromise between the speed of using a single element pattern and the accuracy of using the unique active element pattern for each element in the array. The application of these two concentric, coplanar radiators along with the capacitive loading technique provides a unique contribution to the field of antenna engineering. The majority of dual-band antenna elements in the literature operate with a single polarization in each band. The ones that operate with dual-polarization in each band are typically limited to dual-linear polarization. Circular polarization is preferable to linear in many applications because it allows flexible orientation between the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna in a communications system, while also mitigating multipath effects that lead to signal fading. The ability to operate with two, orthogonal senses of circular polarization allows a system to reuse frequencies and double system capacity without requiring additional bandwidth. The uniqueness of this element lies in its ability to provide dual-circular polarization in two separate frequency bands for an individual element or an antenna array environment. The arrangement of the two element geometries with the addition of the novel capacitive loading technique is also unique. The performance of this element is achieved while maintaining the light weight, low profile design that is critical for many wireless communications applications. This dissertation provides a detailed description of the operation of this dual-band, dual-polarized antenna element. The design of the constituent elements is discussed for several polarization configurations to establish an understanding of the building blocks for this element. The dual-band, dual-polarized element is presented in detail to show the impedance match, isolation, and axial ratio performance. The capacitive loading technique is applied to the dual-band, dual-polarized element, and the performance with the loading in place is compared to the performance of the unloaded element. Next, there is an in-depth description of the array calculation technique that was developed to incorporate mutual coupling effects into the array calculations. This technique is then applied to the dual-band, dual-polarized array to show the performance of several array sizes.
Ph. D.

This thesis investigates optical feed methods for phased array antennas. The technical and practical limitations are analyzed and an optimum design is determined. This optimum optical feed is a two-beam interferometric approach which uses acoustooptic phase control. The theory is derived; a computer model is developed; and the limitations are determined. Design modifications are suggested which reduce limitations and greatly extend the range of applications.
Master of Science

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'exploiter les phénomènes des ondes de fuite pour améliorer les performances des antennes classiques à ouverture pour les applications spatiales. Ici, nous considérons des configurations planaires où les ondes de fuite sont excitées entre un plan de masse et un superstrat partiellement réfléchissant. Des réseaux de petites ouvertures sur le plan de masse sont utilisés pour alimenter les antennes considérées. Les structures avec superstrat sont développées en configuration réseaux simples ou réseaux à commande de phase, considérées intéressantes en termes de flexibilité du système pour des liens satellitaires de nouvelle génération.Pour étudier efficacement ces antennes, nous avons développé un outil d'analyse basé sur une approche spectrale avec fonction de Green. Cet outil permet d'analyser les structures proposées en prenant en compte l'impact du couplage mutuel entre les éléments sur les performances de rayonnement avec une réduction du temps de calcul et d'utilisation de mémoire.L'augmentation du gain des structures à ondes de fuite peut ouvrir la voie à la réduction du nombre d'éléments des réseaux associés, et donc des commandes en amplitude et phase. Dans une configuration à ondes de fuite, chaque élément du réseau rayonne avec une ouverture équivalente plus grande, augmentant ainsi l'espacement entre les éléments sans affecter le gain global de la structure. Comme largement expliqué dans le manuscrit, les solutions à ondes de fuite représentent par conséquent un avantage majeur pour les antennes du segment utilisateur.En plus de l'amélioration du gain, la technologie à ondes de fuite peut être efficacement exploitée pour synthétiser le diagramme de rayonnement, en choisissant correctement les paramètres de conception de l'antenne. Cette caractéristique peut être utilisée dans les réseaux à commande de phase, pour produire un diagramme d'élément qui minimise les pertes par dépointage et qui filtre les lobes de réseaux. Une procédure de synthèse pour des antennes réseaux raréfiés à ondes de fuite est ainsi présentée dans le manuscrit, ainsi qu'une nouvelle configuration de réseaux avec superstrat irrégulier. Ce dernier permet de réduire les lobes secondaires de l'antenne en utilisant une excitation uniforme. Cette dernière configuration montre clairement que la capacité de modifier le diagramme de rayonnement est la caractéristique la plus attrayante des antennes planaires à ondes de fuite, pour être utilisée dans des solutions de réseaux à commande de phase
The objective of this thesis is to exploit the leaky-wave phenomena to enhance the performance of classical aperture antennas for space applications. Here, we consider planar configurations where the leaky modes are excited between a ground plane and a partially reflective superstrate. Arrangements of small apertures opening on the ground plane are used to feed the antennas under study. The superstrate-like leaky-wave structures are developed in array or phased array configurations, considered of interest in terms of flexibility of the system for next generation satellite links. In order to efficiently study planar leaky-wave arrays, we have developed an analysis tool based on a Green's function spectral approach. The developed tool allows to precisely analyze the proposed structure by taking into account the impact of the mutual coupling among the elements on the radiation performance of the whole antenna. In addition, it can handle extremely large structures in terms of wavelengths with a small computational effort with respect to commercial tools. In particular, the gain enhancement of leaky-based structures can pave the way to the reduction of the number of elements of the associated phased arrays. In a leaky-wave configuration each element of the array will radiate with a larger equivalent aperture allowing a larger spacing among elements without affecting the final gain of the whole structure. This aspect is particularly important in the case of phased arrays, where phase shifters and control cells are, typically, the most expensive components of the system. As extensively explained in the manuscript, antennas for user segment might find the highest benefit by using leaky-wave solutions. Besides the gain enhancement, the leaky-wave technology can be effectively exploited to conveniently shape the radiation pattern by properly engineering the design parameters of the antenna. This capability can be used in phased arrays to generate a convenient element pattern to minimize the scan losses and filter the grating lobes appearing in the visible space when dealing with periodicities larger than a wavelength. Therefore, a synthesis procedure for thinned leaky-wave arrays is presented in the manuscript. Also, a novel array configuration, the irregular superstrate array, is presented. The irregular superstrate allows the reduction of the side lobes of the antenna below -20 dB in the considered 2.5 % band, using a uniform excitation. This last configuration clearly shows that the shaping capability of leaky-wave antennas is the most appealing feature to be used in phased array solutions

Broadband antenna arrays have become increasingly popular for various imaging applications, such as radio telescopes and radar, where high sensitivity and resolution are required. High sensitivity requires the development of large scale broadband arrays capable of imaging distant sources at many different wavelengths, in addition to overcoming noise and jamming signals. The design of large scale broadband antenna arrays requires large number antennas, increasing the cost and complexity of the overall system. Moreover, noise sources often vary, depending on their wavelengths and angular locations. This increases the overall design complexity particularly for broadband applications where the performance depends not only on the required bandwidth, but also on the frequency band.This thesis provides a study of broadband antenna array systems for large scale applications. The study investigates different tradeoffs associated with designing such systems and drives a novel design approach to optimize both their cost and performance for a wide range of applications. In addition, the thesis includes measurements of a suitable array to validate the computational predictions. Moreover, the thesis also demonstrates how this study can be utilized to optimize a broadband antenna array system suitable for a low frequency radio telescope.

The contributions of this thesis are four fold. Firstly, the implementation of COST 259 directional channel model in terms of tapped delay line is developed. While the implemented channel model facilities link level simulation, capacity analysis indicates that the delay spread has relatively small impact as compared to the azimuth spread (AS) on the channel capacity. Secondly, an antenna model which incorporates various antenna effects into the performance study of antenna arrays (AAs0 is developed. A comprehensive study of these effects through computer simulations reveals that the use of ideal parameters in the literature always over-predicts the actual system performance. The use of different antenna configurations yields different results with some arrays performing better in certain scenario than others. Furthermore, a proposed mutual coupling (MC) model explains the conflicting results reported to date in the literature. The overall effect of MC is to reduce the system performance despite lower fading correlation is being obtained between the pair of elements when MC is taken into account. Thirdly, the impact of using different azimuth-of-arrival (AOA) and elevation-of-arrival (EOA) distributions on the performance of various AAs is found to be minimal. The determining factor for the AA performance is the standard deviation of the underlying distribution. Finally, three-dimensional spatial fading correlation (SFC) models for several CAA geometries are developed. The closed-form SFC functions are expressed in terms of AOA, EOA and the geometry of the AA under study. Such closed-form expressions can be used to determine the correlation matrices at both base station and mobile station and thus are important in assisting the capacity analysis of single-input multiple-output and multiple-input and multiple-output systems. Furthermore, the developed SFC functions also enable the sensitivity of the AAs to be evaluated through the performance patterns. The results provide invaluable insight that can ultimately assist the design of AA algorithms. An extensive analysis on the array’s sensitivity shows that the system performance is more AS dependent than ES while the effect of mean-azimuth-of-arrival and mean-evaluation-of-arrival is array dependent. The results also show that the AS is the primary factor affecting antenna correlation and the impact of ES is mainly noticeable at small AS values. Nevertheless, in evaluating the performance of AAs, both AOQ and EOA must be taken in account. Capacity analysis also demonstrates the practicability of deploying electromagnetic vector sensor (EVS) and EVS arrays as compact AA receivers.

Gabor's original holography, which is the basic theory of modern microwave holographic techniques, is introduced. By computer simulations, it is demonstrated that the conventional holographic approach can be used as a tool to reconstruct aperture field distributions of an antenna with some constraints. Computer simulations of the theory and technique of the improved microwave holographic approach originally introduced by Rahmat-Samii et al. are carried out. The results show that it can be used for surface distortion diagnosis of large reflector antennas. The physical optics integral formulation is derived by general solutions of the vector wave equations. The necessary theory , which is needed to reconstruct the aperture field from near-field measurements both in a rectangular coordinate system and in a cylindrical coordinate system is developed. It is based on the plane wave spectrum and the vector wave modal expansion of an electromagnetic field. By using a simple dipole and other well-defined antennas, computer simulations have been performed. The results show that the technique is rigorous and applicable. It is also demonstrated that the sampling intervals and the number of sampling points should be chosen carefully in order to obtain a satisfactory resolution of the reconstructed aperture field. Furthermore, the simulations carried out in this work reveal that the real aperture field distribution of a dipole antenna has a maximum point at each end of the antenna. This characteristic can only be obtained at a very close distance to the antenna. This study also reveals the significant contributions of the evanescent waves to the aperture reconstruction. A simple but effective method for examining the evanescent waves from the measured near-field is also presented. By using dipoles and other well known antennas and antenna arrays, the experiments were carried out. The experimental results provide reasonable good agreements with the simulations. The technique proposed is effective and accurate.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 30-November 02, 1995 / Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Two retrodirective antenna systems that autonomously point high gain beams to a signal source without requiring a priori knowledge of location are described. The first is a stationary phased array requiring no phase shifters or switches for its operation. The second is a steerable platform with a thinned receive array for signal acquisition and platform pointing and dish(es) to satisfy the high gain function.

Precise radiation pattern control for an array antenna requires precise control of array element excitations. One application is that of low side lobe patterns. Classical synthesis methods for the desired pattern may not be realized in practice due to coupling effects. Coupling occurs in two forms: the mutual coupling between array elements and the coupling introduced by the feed networks. Ideally one could account for such coupling within the array architecture during the design process and alter the feed network parameters to adjust for such coupling. Unfortunately, this is a nonlinear problem requiring special solution techniques. This report presents the solution techniques for determining feed network parameter values that compensate for antenna-feed network coupling. Scattering parameter representations of the antenna array and the feed networks are used. Examples of various array configurations for microstrip antenna arrays and for dipole arrays are included.
Master of Science

Gabor's original holography, which is the basic theory of modern microwave holographic techniques, is introduced. By computer simulations, it is demonstrated that the conventional holographic approach can be used as a tool to reconstruct aperture field distributions of an antenna with some constraints. Computer simulations of the theory and technique of the improved microwave holographic approach originally introduced by Rahmat-Samii et al. are carried out. The results show that it can be used for surface distortion diagnosis of large reflector antennas. The physical optics integral formulation is derived by general solutions of the vector wave equations. The necessary theory , which is needed to reconstruct the aperture field from near-field measurements both in a rectangular coordinate system and in a cylindrical coordinate system is developed. It is based on the plane wave spectrum and the vector wave modal expansion of an electromagnetic field. By using a simple dipole and other well-defined antennas, computer simulations have been performed. The results show that the technique is rigorous and applicable. It is also demonstrated that the sampling intervals and the number of sampling points should be chosen carefully in order to obtain a satisfactory resolution of the reconstructed aperture field. Furthermore, the simulations carried out in this work reveal that the real aperture field distribution of a dipole antenna has a maximum point at each end of the antenna. This characteristic can only be obtained at a very close distance to the antenna. This study also reveals the significant contributions of the evanescent waves to the aperture reconstruction. A simple but effective method for examining the evanescent waves from the measured near-field is also presented. By using dipoles and other well known antennas and antenna arrays, the experiments were carried out. The experimental results provide reasonable good agreements with the simulations. The technique proposed is effective and accurate.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2001.
"Submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Engineering and Industrial Design, University of Western Sydney" Includes bibliography.

Abstract The focus of this thesis is to study direction of arrival (DoA) estimation algorithms for reconfigurable leaky-wave antennas and advanced antenna arrays. Directional antennas can greatly improve the spectrum reuse, interference avoidance, and object and people localization. DoA estimation algorithms have also been shown to be useful for applications such as positioning for user tracking and location-based services in wireless local area networks (WLANs). The main goal is to develop novel DoA estimation algorithms for both advanced antenna arrays and composite right/left-handed (CRLH) leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). The thesis introduces novel modifications to existing DoA estimation algorithms and shows how these can be modified for real-time DoA estimation using both antenna types. Three modified DoA estimation algorithms for CRLH-LWAs are presented: 1) modified multiple signal classification (MUSIC), 2) power pattern cross-correlation (PPCC), and 3) adjacent power pattern ratio (APPR). Additionally, the APPR algorithm is also applied to advanced antenna arrays. The thesis also presents improvements to the modified MUSIC and APPR algorithms. The complexity of the algorithms is reduced by selecting a smaller number of received signals from different directions. The results show that the selection of the radiation patterns is very important and that the proposed algorithms can successfully estimate the DoA, even in a real-world environment. Based on the results, this thesis provides a good starting point for future research of DoA estimation algorithms to enhance the performance of future-generation wireless networks and the accuracy of localization
Tiivistelmä Tässä väitöskirjassa tutkitaan suunnanestimointialgoritmeja uudelleen konfiguroituville vuotoaaltoantenneille (LWA, leaky wave antenna) ja kehittyneille antenniryhmille. Suuntaavilla antenneilla voidaan parantaa huomattavasti spektrin uudelleen käyttöä ja esineiden ja ihmisten sijaintipaikannusta sekä pienentää häiriöitä. Suunnanestimointialgoritmit ovat myös osoittautuneet hyödylliseksi esimerkiksi seuranta- ja sijaintipaikannuspalvelusovelluksille langattomissa lähiverkoissa. Työn päätavoite on kehittää uusia suunnanestimointialgoritmeja sekä kehittyneille antenniryhmille että vuotoaaltoantenneille (composite right/left-handed (CRLH) LWA). Työssä osoitetaan, miten olemassa olevia suunnanestimointialgoritmeja voidaan muokata uudella tavalla, jotta ne soveltuisivat molemmille antennityypeille reaaliaikaiseen suunnanestimointiin. Vuotoaaltoantennille on kehitetty kolme erilaista suunnanestimointialgoritmia: 1) muunneltu MUSIC- (multiple signal classification), 2) säteilykyvioiden tehojen ristikorrelaatio- (PPCC, power pattern cross correlation) ja 3) vierekkäisten säteilykuvioiden tehosuhdealgoritmi (APPR, adjacent power pattern ratio). APPR-algoritmia on myös käytetty kehittyneelle antenniryhmälle. Työssä esitetään myös parannuksia muunnelluille MUSIC- ja APPR-algoritmeille. Algoritmien kompleksisuutta voidaan pienentää valitsemalla vähemmän vastaanotettuja signaaleja. Tulokset osoittavat, että signaalien valinta on hyvin tärkeää ja ehdotetut algoritmit estimoivat onnistuneesti saapuvan signaalin suunnan todellisessa mittausympäristössä. Yhteenvetona voidaan sanoa, että tämä väitöstyö on hyvä lähtökohta suunnanestimointialgoritmitutkimukselle, jonka tavoitteena on parantaa tulevien sukupolvien langattomien verkkojen suorituskykyä ja paikannuksen tarkkuutta

The new Bluetooth standard (Bluetooth 5.1) contains direction finding specifications. Specifications for received signal strength indicator(RSSI) using measures of signal strength in order to give a sense of how far away an object is has been present in earlier versions. It will now be accompanied with the possibility of angle of arrival estimation(AoA). AoA estimation in Bluetooth utilizes antenna arrays. Antenna arrays are formations of many individual antenna elements working together. The difference between the measured data at each antenna is dependent on the orientation and position of the antenna elements as well as on phase of an incoming electromagnetic signal. By looking at the phase shifts between the antenna elements in an antenna array it is possible to find an estimation of the direction of where the incoming signal is coming from.  The goal of this thesis is to investigate if the NicheTM antenna(concept developed by Proant AB) is applicable for AoA estimation. In the project we have simulated the different characteristics of the Niche antenna and done extensive simulations of different types of configurations of an Niche antenna array. The commercial electromagnetics simulator CST MW studio suite has been used for simulations. A formation that works well with regards to stability and mutual coupling has been found. The simulated results have also been confirmed by measurements on a mechanically constructed antenna array. Measurements have been carried out in an anechoic chamber. We have done full radiation pattern measurements of the antenna array. The antenna array that we have created can estimate the angle of arrival of an incoming signal with an accuracy of 2.7o with a certainty of one standard deviation. For increased accuracy in the AoA estimation a MATLAB code utilizing the MUSIC(MUltiple SIgnal Classification) algorithm with our variant of the steering vector has been written.

Presented in this thesis are the following experimental and theoretical investigations carried out on the three-layer electromagnetically coupled (EMC) circular microstrip antennas and their arrays. 1.Three-Layer EMC Circular Microstrip Antenna A three-layer EMC circular microstrip antenna consists of a probe-fed circular microstrip patch having two parasitically excited circular microstrip patches (without ground planes) stacked above it, with air gaps in between successive substrates. In the "inverted" configuration, the parasitic patches are on the lower (nearer to the driven substrate) surface of the substrate. An exhaustive experimental study of the resonant frequencies, input impedance, impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics of this antenna, has been carried out for both the "normal" and the "inverted" configurations. Based on this experimental study, the design and optimisation of the antenna have been discussed and experimentally tested. In the S-band, it is found that an impedance bandwidth as high as 20 percent coupled with good patterns, high gain and low cross-polarisation levels, have been obtained. 2.Three-Layer EMC Circular Microstrip Antenna Arrays Experimental work has also been carried out on linear arrays of three-layer EMC circular microstrip antennas. The design of a linear array both in the E- and H- planes, of the three-layer microstrip antennas in their "normal" as well as "inverted" configurations, has been discussed and realisation carried out. Impedance bandwidths of the arrays have been experimentally found to be the same as that of the three-layer antenna element High gain and good pattern shape with sidelobes as well as cross-polarisation levels better than -20 dB through a scan angle of 40°, have been realised. A study of the mutual coupling between two-layer as well as three-layer EMC circular patch elements has also been carried out for the useful range of interelement spacings. 3.Theoretical Analysis of Resonant Frequencies of Multilayer Patch Structures Theoretical investigations have been carried out on the resonance properties of single-layer and multilayer EMC patch structures employing the full-wave analysis based on spectral domain immittance approach. The impedance Green's functions for all these structures have been derived from the combination of equivalent transverse transmission lines concept Galerkin's method is employed in the spectral (Hankel) transform domain where two sets of disk current expansions are used for obtaining die characteristic equation. By solving the characteristic equation, the resonant frequencies are obtained for various values of the parameters of the layered antenna.

Presented in this thesis are the following experimental and theoretical investigations carried out on the three-layer electromagnetically coupled (EMC) circular microstrip antennas and their arrays. 1.Three-Layer EMC Circular Microstrip Antenna A three-layer EMC circular microstrip antenna consists of a probe-fed circular microstrip patch having two parasitically excited circular microstrip patches (without ground planes) stacked above it, with air gaps in between successive substrates. In the "inverted" configuration, the parasitic patches are on the lower (nearer to the driven substrate) surface of the substrate. An exhaustive experimental study of the resonant frequencies, input impedance, impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics of this antenna, has been carried out for both the "normal" and the "inverted" configurations. Based on this experimental study, the design and optimisation of the antenna have been discussed and experimentally tested. In the S-band, it is found that an impedance bandwidth as high as 20 percent coupled with good patterns, high gain and low cross-polarisation levels, have been obtained. 2.Three-Layer EMC Circular Microstrip Antenna Arrays Experimental work has also been carried out on linear arrays of three-layer EMC circular microstrip antennas. The design of a linear array both in the E- and H- planes, of the three-layer microstrip antennas in their "normal" as well as "inverted" configurations, has been discussed and realisation carried out. Impedance bandwidths of the arrays have been experimentally found to be the same as that of the three-layer antenna element High gain and good pattern shape with sidelobes as well as cross-polarisation levels better than -20 dB through a scan angle of 40°, have been realised. A study of the mutual coupling between two-layer as well as three-layer EMC circular patch elements has also been carried out for the useful range of interelement spacings. 3.Theoretical Analysis of Resonant Frequencies of Multilayer Patch Structures Theoretical investigations have been carried out on the resonance properties of single-layer and multilayer EMC patch structures employing the full-wave analysis based on spectral domain immittance approach. The impedance Green's functions for all these structures have been derived from the combination of equivalent transverse transmission lines concept Galerkin's method is employed in the spectral (Hankel) transform domain where two sets of disk current expansions are used for obtaining die characteristic equation. By solving the characteristic equation, the resonant frequencies are obtained for various values of the parameters of the layered antenna.

Terahertz is the portion of the spectrum that covers a frequency range between 300 GHz - 3 THz. This frequency band has proven its potential for imaging applications thanks to the good compromise between spatial resolution and penetration; however, this push towards high frequencies contains many technological difficulties in all the subsystems involved in the signal generation, transmission and detection. The power budget restrictions and high losses that sources and receivers currently suffer at these frequencies require systems with a high level of integration among all the devices and components of the systems and subsystems. Therefore, the antennas needed for these systems require to be integrated within the same fabrication processes and technologies as the sensing and power converting devices that are used at their terminals. This doctoral thesis has focused on the development of integrated antenna arrays at Terahertz frequencies for imaging applications, for both near-field and focal-plane geometries, with a special emphasis on the technologies and the fabrication capabilities that can be potentially used and are currently available. The current imaging systems require large arrays of antennas in order to achieve the high-speed image acquisition that is required in most THz applications. This fact increases considerably the difficulty and complexity to achieve highly integrated and efficient antennas. This thesis has characterized and analyzed these difficulties and provided solutions to the development of antenna arrays at millimeter and submillimeter wave frequencies. The first part of this thesis has focused on the study of a planar antenna array, called retina, for a specific near-field imaging system based on the Modulated Scatterer Technique (MST) at millimeter and submillimeter-wave frequencies. This system has been selected for its capabilities to perform high-speed imaging and because it does not require a high frequency distribution line network. However, it is hindered by many technological difficulties: the selection of an antenna geometry that achieves high efficiency, the selection of the adequate active element and its integration with the antenna. In this thesis, these challenges have been addressed and studied in-depth, and a design methodology that integrates all the different aspects of the system has been developed. Because planar antennas at millimeter and submillimeter wave frequencies suffer from high losses due to the surface wave modes inside substrate, these losses have been analyzed and quantified for different antennas, and an antenna geometry that reduces significantly this problem has been developed. Different switching technologies currently or potentially available at these high frequencies have been considered in order to study and analyze their capabilities and their integration possibilities: PIN diodes, Schottky diodes and RF-MEMS. These technologies have been studied through the development of three retina prototypes, which have been fabricated using high precision fabrication processes such as laser micromachining and photolithographic. Different measurement set ups were fabricated and assembled to validate the different premises presented. The second part of the thesis is devoted to the study of integrated Focal Plane Arrays (FPA). The development of FPA at submillimeter wave frequencies is highly on demand due to the enormous progress in designing integrated heterodyne receivers. These receivers integrate arrays of submillimeter-wave diode-based mixers and multipliers with Monolithically Integrated Circuit (MIC) amplifiers on the same wafer stack. For this stackable multi-pixel terahertz camera technology to work, a leaky wave antenna with silicon micro-lenses has been developed, which allows wafer level integration compatible with silicon micro-fabrication techniques for bulk array manufacturing and has high directivity in order to illuminate a reflector efficiently. Detailed and thorough design guidelines for this antenna are presented. Two antenna prototypes were built in order to evaluate the two fabrication possibilities: advanced laser micro-fabrication and photolithographic fabrication. A study of the aberrations of the lens has been developed in order to evaluate the performance of the lens profile fabricated. Moreover, a set of radiation pattern measurements of the fabricated prototypes was performed in order to evaluate the performance of the antenna and its possibilities to be used as a FPA.

Coaxial-to-microstrip launcher and microstrip patch array antenna are designed to work at center frequency of 36.85 GHz with a bandwidth higher than 300 MHz. The antenna array design also includes the feeding network distributing the power to each antenna element. The design parameters are defined on this report and optimized by using an Electromagnetic Simulation software program. In order to verify the theoretical results, microstrip patch array antenna is produced as a prototype. Measurements of antenna parameters, electromagnetic field and circuit properties are interpreted to show compliance with theoretical results. The values of deviation between theoretical and experimental results are discussed as a conclusion.

Wireless communication has enjoyed explosive growth over the past decade. As demands for increased capacity and quality grow, improved methods for harnessing the multipath wireless channel must be developed. The use of adaptive antenna arrays is one area that shows promise for improving capacity of wireless systems and providing improved safety through position location capabilities. These arrays can be used for interference rejection through spatial filtering, position location through direction finding measurements, and developing improved channel models through angle of arrival channel sounding measurements. This thesis provides an overview of the technical challenges involved in position location of wireless users and details the hardware development of a multi-sensor testbed at the Mobile and Portable Radio Research Group at Virginia Tech. This testbed is to be used for position location experiments as well as a host of other adaptive signal processing applications.
Master of Science

La désadaptation d'impédance dans les réseaux d'antennes est un problème important, en particulier lorsqu'un grand nombre d'éléments rayonnants sont placés côte à côte. Cette désadaptation est généralement due au couplage mutuel entre les éléments d'antenne. Le phénomène de couplage mutuel peut cependant provenir des ondes de surface, du rayonnement de champ proche ou du rayonnement de champ lointain. Le phénomène de désadaptation se révèle néanmoins important lorsque l'ensemble du réseau est réglé pour rayonner même temps même si le couplage est faible. Dans cette thèse, nous concentrons nos travaux sur l'effet du rayonnement total en champ lointain. En mettant les antennes en réseau, l'impédance d'entrée de chaque élément du réseau d'antennes change par rapport à celle de l'élément unique lorsqu’il n’est pas en réseau. En d'autres termes, la valeur de l'impédance d'entrée des éléments rayonnants individuels change en fonction du nombre d’éléments et de la position de l'antenne. Ce travail propose en outre un aspect important de l'évaluation des paramètres S actifs dans les réseaux d'antennes. Il a été montré que les paramètres S actifs obtenus en utilisant la matrice de distribution passive ne correspondent pas aux valeurs réelles obtenues lors d'une excitation simultanée de tous les éléments. Enfin, cette étude a fait un pas de plus vers deux nouvelles méthodes de découplage afin de valider la théorie du rayonnement total et l'évaluation des paramètres S actifs. Les résultats théoriques sont complétés par des simulations 3D et des mesures
Impedance mismatching in antenna arrays is an important issue especially when a huge number of antenna elements are placed side by side. This mismatch is generally blamed to exist because of mutual coupling between antenna elements. The phenomenon of mutual coupling, however, may result due to surface waves, near field radiation or far field radiation. The phenomenon of mismatch, nevertheless, reveals itself strongly when the whole array is set to radiate even in presence of less significant coupling. In this thesis, we focus our work to the effect of total radiation due to far field radiation only. It says that by arraying the antennas the input impedance of each element of the antenna array changes as compared to that of the single element which is not arrayed. In other words, the value of the input impedance of individual antenna elements changes versus antenna number and position. This work further proposes an important aspect of the evaluation of active S-parameters in antenna arrays. It has been shown that the active S-parameters obtained by using the passive scattering matrix do not correspond to the actual values obtained during a simultaneous excitation of all the elements. Finally, this study has taken a step further towards two novel decoupling methods in order to validate the theory of total radiation and evaluation of active S-parameters. Theoretical results are complemented with 3D simulations and measurements