Infinite array of printed dipoles integrated with a printed strip grating for suppression of cross-polar radiation. I. Rigorous analysis

A rigorous analysis of an infinite array of printed dipoles integrated with a covering layer of printed strip grating is presented. Such designs can be useful to achieve low to ultra-low levels of cross-polar radiation from printed antennas, which is otherwise difficult to obtain from standard printed antenna designs. The analysis rigorously accounts for coupling between the grating strips and the dipole array in a general multilayered environment. Various demonstrative and design results showing loading effects of the grating on scan and impedance characteristics of the array are presented. Some interesting fundamental effects of the grating on the cross-polarization level and scan-blindness behavior are discussed.