Introduction to the three-dimensional frequency-independent phased-array (3D-FIPA)-a new class of phased array design

Abstract

An innovative antenna array, the three-dimensional frequency independent phased array (3D-FIPA), is described in detail. The 3D-FIPA can be designed to provide low grating lobes, low sidelobe levels, and nearly constant gain, beamwidth, and impedance with a low voltage standing wave ratio over extremely large bandwidths. The full array maximizes the use of the physical volume required and can be built for HF through the microwave regions. The 3D-DIPA applies the log-periodic principle in a novel way to form multilayer dipole arrays that maintain all electrical spacings and heights over a user-specified frequency range.