Analysis of infinite and finite arrays of tapered-slot antennas for SKA

Broadband phased arrays are a potential technological solution for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope. The analysis of such arrays, and the determination of the effects of array truncation can be done either in the frequency domain, by element-by-element, infinite-array, or finite-by-infinite array approaches, or in the time domain, using an integral equation formulation. In this paper, the two techniques are compared in the case of a moderate-size array made of Vivaldi elements, whose dimensions are the same as those used for the THEA (Thousand Elements Array) demonstrator.