Wide-band, wide-angle microstrip stacked-patch-element phased arrays

The feasibility of a probe-fed, microstrip-stacked-patch element for wideband phased arrays scanned from broadside to about 45 degrees in two planes is established through computer simulation. The implementation of a systematic interactive design procedure of such phased array elements is described. The authors describe the array model, present the main steps in the analysis of scan and frequency gain performance, and consider various aspects of convergence acceleration. An iterative stacked-phased-array-element design procedure is developed. The method is facilitated by identification of the individual uncoupled resonant configurations of the stagger-tuned patch system. The authors present samples of numerical results for active resistance and reflection coefficient for single probe excitation, and some useful transmission line relations.>