Properties and applications of the large circular resonant dipole array

Large closed-curve antenna arrays have been a subject of research for many years and have been shown to have many interesting properties. The paper investigates some of the properties of such a dipole array when the closed curve is a circle. Recently, because of its unique horizontal field pattern, a 90-element circular array of this type has been proposed as a microwave beacon for the coastal navigation of ships and airplanes. In the design of these arrays, it is suggested that the array be rotated mechanically. The question arises: can the mechanical rotation be replaced by an electronic rotation? We show that electronic rotation is not possible for the 90-element circular array originally described, but is possible for a modified array. The subtle difference between these two arrays is clarified and a simple criterion is given for the general case. Also presented is the derivation of an asymptotic formula for the radiation pattern of a resonant circular array of N equal elements with only one element driven. Since the theory for such an array is complicated and involves numerous numerical difficulties, a simple asymptotic formula for the field pattern has advantages over other methods. The simple formula is shown to produce a vertical field pattern that is indistinguishable from its numerically calculated counterpart. Generalization to noncircular arrays is discussed briefly.