Method for designing array antennas

• US 7,913,198 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Holter, Henrik
• Primary Examiner(s): ROSSOSHEK, YELENA
• Application Number:
  US11/987,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20080222577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 716/1, 716/4, 716/5, 716/10, 342/22, 342/25.A, 342/45, 342/165, 342/373, 343/705, 343/770, 343/844, 343/897
• US Class Current: 716/100
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0046 Theoretical analysis and design methods of such selective devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00

Abstract

A method for designing low signature array antennas using a calculation method. The method proposes a way of improving antenna and signature performance of array antennas. According to the method electromagnetic antenna and signature characteristics are specified, an iterative optimizing method is performed to design the antenna to fulfil the specified characteristics, the iterative method is interrupted when a design fulfils the specified characteristics, and the specified characteristics are readjusted in an iterative optimizing method to follow if the specified characteristics not are fulfilled.

Claims

1. A method for designing low radar signature array antennas comprising a fragmented-type array, the method comprising:

specifying electromagnetic antenna and radar signature characteristics;

performing an iterative optimizing method to design the antenna to fulfil the specified characteristics;

interrupting the iterative method when a design fulfils the specified characteristics;

readjusting the specified characteristics in an iterative optimizing method to follow if the specified characteristics not are fulfilled, thereby simultaneously optimizing the electromagnetic antenna and the radar signature characteristics; and

applying to an antenna the design fulfils the specified characteristics.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the optimizing method comprises use of a genetic algorithm.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising:

adapting a reflection factor of the antenna to coincide in amount and phase with reflection factor of a material surrounding the antenna when mounted.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a frequency selective surface is located in front of the antenna.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the frequency selective surface comprises a periodic pattern having a periodicity being a multiple of a periodicity of the antenna.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

making the antenna with the design that fulfils the specified characteristics.

7. A method for designing low radar signature array antennas, the method comprising:

specifying electromagnetic antenna and radar signature characteristics;

performing an iterative optimizing method to design the antenna to fulfil the specified characteristics;

interrupting the iterative method when a design fulfils the specified characteristics;

readjusting the specified characteristics in an iterative optimizing method to follow if the specified characteristics not are fulfilled, thereby simultaneously optimizing the electromagnetic antenna and the radar signature characteristics;

adapting a reflection factor of the antenna to coincide in amount and phase with reflection factor of a material surrounding the antenna when mounted; and

applying to an antenna the design fulfils the specified characteristics.

8. A method for designing low radar signature array antennas, the method comprising:

specifying electromagnetic antenna and radar signature characteristics, wherein a frequency selective surface is located in front of the antenna;

performing an iterative optimizing method to design the antenna to fulfil the specified characteristics;

interrupting the iterative method when a design fulfils the specified characteristics;

readjusting the specified characteristics in an iterative optimizing method to follow if the specified characteristics not are fulfilled, thereby simultaneously optimizing the electromagnetic antenna and the radar signature characteristics; and

applying to an antenna the design fulfils the specified characteristics.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the frequency selective surface comprises a periodic pattern having a periodicity being a multiple of a periodicity of the antenna.