Excitation matching procedure for sub-arrayed monopulse arrays with maximum directivity

The maximisation of the directivity of compromise difference patterns in sub-arrayed monopulse linear array antennas with an optimum sum mode is addressed by means of a two-stage excitation matching procedure. The knowledge of the independently optimum difference excitations, which provide maximum directivity, is exploited with an efficient matching technique based on the contiguous partition method. Simple and reliable compromise solutions, characterised by reduced complexity as well as easier manufacture of antennas, are synthesised to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method also in comparison with state-of-the-art methods devoted to directivity maximisation.