Investigation of Patch Array Antenna Pattern Degradation

Inhalt:
A patch antenna array of 8 x 8 elements was designed based on a uniform corporate feed network. Simulated array radiation patterns as well as measurements show considerable degradation effects. Element excitation errors and spurious radiation from the feed network were assumed to be the major sources of degradation. In order to separate these sources, a simulation and experimental verification of the spurious radiation of the network alone was performed. Together with simulated patterns of the patch array without feed network the pattern degradation of the complete array antenna could be explained and a way to improved performance could be provided.