Research on a Millimeter-Wave Phased Array With Wide-Angle Scanning Performance

In order to extend the scanning range of a phased array and maintain the scanning gain flatness, a novel millimeter-wave phased array with four linearly-arranged pattern reconfigurable elements is presented in this communication. The phased array has been designed, fabricated, measured and analyzed. The active patterns of each reconfigurable element are measured at different reconfigurable modes and the pattern scanning performance of the phased array is synthesized by using these active patterns. Furthermore, a genetic algorithm is used to lower the level of side lobes of the proposed phased array. The results show that the phased array can scan its main lobe from -75° to +75° in the elevation plane with a gain fluctuation less than 3 dB.