An Accurate Modeling Technique for Periodic Antenna Arrays-Experimental Validation

In the context of large periodic antenna arrays, a modeling technique implementation and its experimental validation on a 16-element array are presented. This passive array is designed to radiate linear polarization in Ka-band (19.7-20.2 GHz). It is a preliminary step of the modeling of a much larger array of 1024 radiating elements. Existing antenna arrays simulation techniques allow the representation of an infinitely surrounded unit cell through periodic boundary conditions. However, large arrays can be difficult to model accurately. A new wideband modeling technique for large periodic antenna arrays is used to reconstruct the scattering matrix of the 16-element array. This technique is based on periodic reconstruction and requires only small calculation volumes. Results obtained with this technique are then compared to full-wave results. Finally, experimental results are presented, and a comparison between measurements, full-wave calculation, and periodic reconstruction is done.