Grating Lobe Suppression in Aperiodic Phased Array Antennas Composed of Periodic Subarrays with Large Element Spacing

The techniques of grating lobe (GL) suppression in planar phased array antennas composed of periodic subarrays with rectangular or triangular grids with large element spacing are considered. GL suppression is achieved using an aperiodic arrangement of subarrays. This approach provides a means to decrease GLs without a significant increase in structural complexity relative to periodic arrays; moreover, other antenna parameters do not essentially change compared with periodic arrays. Estimations of maximum GL suppression are presented. Antenna characteristics such as sidelobe level, beam efficiency, and aperture efficiency are also considered. The influences of element radiation pattern and amplitude tapering are analyzed. Examples of radiation patterns of such phased arrays are given.