A Wide-Scanning Array Antenna of Connected Vertical Bowtie Elements Structurally Integrated Within an Aircraft Fuselage

Journal article, 2023

A low-profile, wide-scanning phased-array antenna of vertical bowtie elements fully integrated with a structurally efficient radome and ribs of an aircraft fuselage is proposed in this article. The array is designed to simultaneously fulfil the electrical requirements of an airborne antenna sensor and the mechanical requirements of a load-carrying aircraft fuselage. The array antenna is capable of steering the beam up to ±80 degrees in the azimuth plane over a 20% bandwidth (2.4–3 GHz) with the active reflection coefficient ( Γact ) below −10 dB in an infinite array environment. Experimental results of a 16×16 element array demonstrator agree well with the simulation results. The 16×16 array antenna is capable of steering the beam up to ±60 degrees and ±75 degrees with the bandwidth of 20% and 10%, respectively, at Γact≤−10 dB. The array antenna also achieved good stiffness and performed well in the vibration loads of commercial transport aircraft.