A Van Atta reflector consisting of half-wave dipoles

The reradiation pattern of a passive Van Atta reflector consisting of half-wave dipoles is investigated. The character of the reradiation pattern first is deduced by qualitative and physical considerations. Various types of array elements are considered and several geometrical configurations of these elements are outlined. Following this, an analysis is made of the reradiation pattern of a linear Van Atta array consisting of four equispaced half-wave dipoles. The general form of the reradiation pattern is studied analytically. The influence of scattering and coupling is determined and the dependence of the reradiation pattern on the length of the transmission lines interconnecting the dipoles is investigated. The optimum length of the transmission lines is determined. The results, found by the analysis of the reradiation pattern, are verified experimentally. The experimental reflector consists of slot-fed dipoles with open-ended terminations. Line stretchers are inserted into the transmission lines.