强互耦宽带相控阵辐射与散射特性协同研究

Traditional broadband phased antenna arrays are usually based on the design concept of “elements first and arrays afterwards”, and the mutual coupling effects among array elements are considered as unfavorable factors, which usually need to be weakened or compensated. Moreover, these antenna elements usually have larger sizes in their longitudinal or transversal directions, causing difficulty in further extension of the operation bandwidth and beam scanning ranges of the broadband phased arrays. On the contrary, the phased arrays based on enhanced mutual coupling regard their mutual coupling effects as favorable factors, thus enhancing their mutual coupling effects deliberately. Consequently, the operation bandwidth of the broadband phased arrays can be extended significantly, while the antenna profile can be reduced remarkably. Based on our research basis of this type of phased arrays, this project will further carry on a collaborative study on the radiation and scattering characteristics of broadband phased arrays with enhanced mutual coupling, which is aimed to realize the broadband phased arrays with enhanced mutual coupling with lower backscattering characteristics. The main study contents of this project include: a deep study on the radiation and scattering mechanism of the broadband phased arrays with enhanced mutual coupling; collaborative analysis and optimal design of the radiation and scattering characteristics of antenna elements in an infinite array environment; collaborative analysis and design of the radiation and scattering characteristics of finite arrays; experimental study of the radiation and scattering characteristics of the broadband phased arrays with enhanced mutual coupling. The research fruits are anticipated to be used to provide the theoretical principle and approach for the engineering design of broadband phased arrays with enhanced mutual coupling, with balanced optimum between their radiation and scattering characteristics.

传统宽带天线阵一般基于先宽带阵元再组阵的设计思想，天线阵元间的互耦效应为不利因素需要加以减弱或补偿，而且其单元纵横向尺寸一般较大，难以进一步拓展相控阵工作频带及波束扫描范围。强互耦宽带相控阵则将互耦效应作为有利因素被故意加强，天线阵带宽可以大幅度拓展，天线剖面高度也可以显著降低。本项目将在已有的研究基础上进一步开展强互耦宽带相控阵的辐射与散射特性协同研究，实现具有低后向散射特性的强互耦宽带相控阵。研究内容主要包括：强互耦宽带相控阵的辐射与散射机理研究，无限大阵列环境下天线单元的辐射与散射特性协同分析与优化设计，有限大阵列的辐射与散射特性协同分析与设计，强互耦宽带相控阵的辐射与散射特性实验研究。本项目的研究可以为电磁辐射与散射特性达到平衡最佳的强互耦宽带相控阵的工程设计提供理论基础与方法依据。

强互耦宽带相控阵可以利用阵元间的互耦效应有效拓展天线的工作带宽以及波束扫描范围，并显著降低阵面剖面高度。在共形以及低剖面安装环境下，强互耦宽带相控阵相对于传统宽带相控阵具有明显优势。基于已有的研究基础，本项目从理论方法到实验研究、从无限大阵列到有限大阵列有序地开展了强互耦宽带相控阵辐射与散射特性协同分析研究。主要研究成果包括：1）基于“场”与“路”结合的理念，从单元设计到阵列优化系统性地提出了“黑盒子”理论以及延时线加载等辐射与散射特性协同优化的基础理论方法。2）根据已提出的研究方法，采取利用电磁超材料以及宽角阻抗匹配层加载等控制强互耦相控阵散射特性的措施，设计出实际的天线结构并分别完成了该阵列在无限大以及有限大环境下辐射与散射特性的分析研究，最终完成了低散射强互耦宽带阵列样机的加工与测试。3）探索了新的低剖面强互耦相控阵的单元形式。本项目成果为强互耦宽带相控阵辐射与散射特性达到最佳平衡的工程设计提供了理论依据和方法指导。