Performance Study of a Reconfigurable Microstrip Parasitic Array (RMPA) Phased Array

An RMPA array has been designed and studied. The element spacing was set at the smallest available value in order to obtain a widest range of pattern scan. The DD-mode status of the RMPA array was practically ignored because of the impedance mismatch and radiation pattern deterioration. Hence, the RMPA array operates in the DR-mode for negative angle scans and RD-mode for positive angle scans. In comparison with the normal patch array, the RMPA array has a smaller scan range because of the larger element spacing. However, the gain of the RMPA array is more constant than the patch array as the pattern is scanned. Moreover, although the side lobe level of the RMPA array is higher than the patch array at small scan angles, it becomes lower at large scan angles. These advantages make the RMPA array more suitable for large angle scans. (Figure Presented).