Design of a low-profile printed array of loaded dipoles with inherent frequency selectivity properties

This work presents the design of a low-profile array of printed dipoles with inherent filtering properties for radar applications. The antenna and the band-pass filter are integrated in a single module, which is small enough to fit within the array unit cell (with period of about 0.4 λ at the highest operational frequency). The array element may be viewed as a three-pole Tchebychev filter in which the load resistance and the first resonator are implemented by means of the radiating dipole and the backing reflector. Results obtained via infinite array simulations are presented. A 23% relative bandwidth (S₁₁ <; -10 dB) is achieved for broadside radiation and for scanning up to 45° on the H-plane.