An open source array antenna toolbox implementation

Around the early 1900's, the first transmission of radio waves by means of phased array antennas was demonstrated. Since then, the further development of phased array radars was largely driven from a military point of view, with operational phased array systems implemented as far back as the second World War. In recent times, phased array antenna systems have become much more prevalent, not only in a military context but also increasingly in the commercial space, with array antenna implementations used in satellite communication systems and direction finding systems around the world. With this in mind, the following dissertation presents the development, functionality and results of a phased array simulation toolbox developed in the open source programming language, Julia. Some of the main concepts demonstrated in this dissertation include various array antenna configurations, including linear, planar, circular, cylindrical, spherical and conical, each of which are customisable in terms of beam steering, number of array elements, inter-element spacings and in some cases, array tapering to name but a few. The aim behind the development of the array toolbox is to provide array antenna enthusiasts and students with a simple to use simulation package, enabling an investigation into the effect of various array antenna parameters on the output antenna pattern produced

Grantor

Department of Electrical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Jaffer, Abubaker

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Schonken, Francois

• electrical engineering

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33722

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/33722