An Effective Analysis Method for Electrically Large Finite Microstrip Antenna Arrays

To improve the computation efficiency in analyzing large microstrip antenna arrays over a wide frequency band, we developed a wideband closed-form mutual impedance formula and a full wave analysis-based network method. In this method, we first divided the large but finite antenna arrays into two parts: radiating elements and feed network. The wideband closed-form mutual impedance formula was used to study the mutual interaction between radiating elements in an array environment, while the full wave analysis solver was used to analyze the feed network. These two parts were then cascaded by full wave analysis-based network method. Such an approach leads to a substantial reduction in computing time. The improved efficiency in computation means that the design optimization can now be achieved for both single antenna arrays and two large antenna arrays. To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach, we employed two examples and compared the results obtained from the proposed approach with those from either the full wave commercial software or the commercial software and experimental results. These results were found to be in good agreement with each other.