Analysis, design and measurement of a low sidelobe level lightweight array antenna for surveillance radar applications

This paper describes a design and a realization of a low sidelobe level lightweight array antenna in X-band. The array antenna utilizes Taylor magnitude distribution in its aperture as a sidelobe level reduction technique. The measured sidelobe level of the antenna is -22 dB in its wider dimension plane and -18 dB in its narrower dimension plane. The radiating elements of the array are cavity backed patches electromagnetically coupled to microstrip excitation stubs. The feed distribution network of the antenna is realized as a low cost microstrip corporate feed. The array antenna has been produced by means of a low cost conventional PCB technology. Measurements of a prototype unit has been presented and compared with the theoretical calculations.