Method of Moment Analysis of Finite Phased Array of Aperture Coupled Circular Microstrip Patch Antennas

A full wave spectral domain method of moment along with reciprocity theorem analysis of finite phased array of aperture coupled circular microstrip patch antennas is presented. Both the electric surface currents on the patches and the equivalent magnetic current on the apertures are considered. Results of reflection coefficient magnitude, active input impedance, active element gain, efficiency and pattern are provided for different array size and element separations. By optimizing the parameters of the array, a better scan performance can be achieved. Furthermore, a comparison is made between array of rectangular and circular patches, with equal patch surface area, and it is shown that the array of circular patches provide a better scan performance than the array of rectangular patches.