Theoretical and experimental study on a partially driven array antenna with simplified dipole elements

A novel design is proposed to reduce the number of driven elements by replacing them with passive elements or wires in an array antenna. The study is based on the analysis of electromagnetic wave fields by considering of the coupling between the half-wavelength dipoles. An array antenna of two driven elements and two passive elements is considered as a model. After optimising the element arrangement, the antenna gain can match that of the equivalent four-driven element case. The simulation result is confirmed by an experiment that uses dipoles with simplified matching technique. Feeding networks in a high-power radiating system are analysed in terms of the length and matching of feed lines, and the number of amplifiers.