Computational investigation of a crossed slot cavity-backed array antenna

[摘要] This thesis investigates a computational model of an electronically steered antenna array. Itfocuses on a simple element comprising an S-shaped, crossed, cylindrical cavity-backed slotantenna. An unusual aspect of the element is the addition of a top hat, which contributes to thelow scanning ability of the array. The objective was to confirm this contribution of the top hat.During the investigation, the computation code Feko was validated for slot analysis throughconsideration of the basic properties of a dipole and slot and how they related to each other.Various alternative models were evaluated, before a final accurate model was modelled in Feko,to find possible equivalent models. The final model, which implemented the use of Feko asrelease 5, was the only one that achieved successful results.The results showed that the top hat does play an important role in the steering of the beam.The mechanism through which this occurs was identified. The results that where obtainedindicated that there may be more effective elements than the cylindrical element and the identificationof this is proposed as a field for further study.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University