Full-wave Simulation of Time-modulated Parabolic Linear Array Using the Method of Moments

Abstract

In this paper, a time-modulated antenna array (TMAA) include of 16-half-wavelength dipole elements are studied under different time switching schemes. The 16-dipoles TMAA are arranged in a parabolic trace separated by λo/2 with each dipole connected to RF switch. The TMAA is fed via half-wavelength dipole placed at 10λo from the parabolic trace. Each time switching scheme with switching rate, fp, produces beam at the fundamental-frequency, fo, and other beams at the harmonic-frequencies fo± mfp. The switching time scheme introduces an extra design variable to control the radiation patterns at the harmonic frequencies. The patterns at the fundamental and sideband frequencies are all simulated using the method of moments (MoM) while taking into account the element radiation pattern and mutual coupling. A comparison between the MoM full wave simulation and the TMAA of isotropic elements fed by the same time switching schemes is introduced. Numerical results depict the efficiency MoM in the analysis of TMAAs with high accuracy.