Investigation of mutual coupling effects on pattern null reconfigurable antennas in small adaptive arrays

Adaptive arrays composed of fixed pattern elements have been studied extensively in the past. In these arrays, adaptive processing algorithms have control over the magnitude and phase applied to each array element to modify the array pattern. Recently, pattern reconfigurable elements have been introduced into adaptive arrays, establishing a new form of array pattern control. Using a reconfigurable element model, null reconfigurability was shown to be particularly advantageous in small adaptive arrays. Unfortunately, strong mutual coupling between array elements, often a result of their close proximity, can significantly distort each element pattern and substantially affect the predicted adaptive array performance. In this work, the coupling between two null reconfigurable elements with different null tilt combinations has been characterized as a function of element spacing through simulation and measurement. The effect of coupling on element pattern null magnitude and location has also been investigated. Furthermore, the effect of coupling on the performance of reconfigurable adaptive arrays has been studied using the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio metric. Results show that although the coupling between elements is low, it has a noticeable impact on the depth and position of each pattern null and even results in the formation of an additional null in some instances. This leads to differences between the performance predicted by the adaptive algorithm and the performance obtained from practical null reconfigurable elements in the presence of coupling.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Young, Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bernhard, Jennifer T.

• Adaptive arrays
• mutual coupling
• reconfigurable antennas

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Matthew Young

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/30937

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/30937