Directivity versus element spacing for a scanning array

Abstract

The results of the present examination of the relationship of directivity with element spacings of linear, rectangular, and hexagonal arrays indicate that element spacings for optimal directivity vary with scan angles; this is especially true in the case of changes in aperture sizes and the appearance of grating lobes in the visible space. Grating lobe effects are more pronounced for isotropic than for directive element arrays. Directivity decreases as the beam scans off from boresight, and rapidly diminishes for scans over 30 deg. The hexagonal array has higher directivity for scans of less than 20 deg, and the linear array for those over 30 deg.