Conformal Array Antennas

Living reference work entry
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Abstract

The history, including the theory and the technology, leading to today’s conformal array antennas (nonplanar array antennas) is discussed. Since the apertures of these antennas are curved (usually convex), the traditional methods for planar array analysis and design cannot be used. An important aspect is the mutual coupling between radiating elements due to the diffraction along the curved surface. Beamforming, phase modes, geodesics, and polarization are concepts that are dealt with.

Several applications of conformal array antennas are mentioned including wide angle (360°) coverage antennas for mobile base stations, antennas built into the skin of vehicles such as aircraft and satellites, spherical arrays for simultaneous tracking of signals from many directions, etc. Compared to planar arrays, the steering and control of conformal arrays is more complicated. However, the rapid growth in computer power (software and hardware) opens up for new solutions. In particular digital beamforming (DBF) looks promising for the future.

Keywords

Circular array Commutating DBF Digital beamforming Geodesic Icosahedron MIMO Phase mode Polarization Spherical array UTD Wullenweber array 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Lars MicrowaveAskimSweden
  2. 2.Antenna System TechnologyEricsson ResearchGothenburgSweden

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