Computer aided design of a planar phased array

摘要

The complex design process of a planar multi-layer phased array antenna in microstrip technology can be simplified using two commercially available design tools HP-EEsof Touchstone and Ansoft Ensemble. Touchstone is employed to analyse and optimise PIN diode switches and phase shifters while Ensemble is used to analyse radiating layers and associated feeding networks. The approach allows prediction of the performance of a phased array prior to its manufacturing. This is demonstrated in the design example of a 12-element circular phased array operating at L-band.