Measured data of monostatic RCS at different angles and frequencies is difficult to obtain due to mutual coupling between the horn antennas and the influence of ambient noise. Nevertheless, Figure 9 Simulates the monostatic RCS of the array at different angles and frequencies. The working bandwidth that meets the widest – 3 dB RCS beamwidth is 60 MHz, from 5.77 to 5.83 GHz centered at 5.8 GHz. This is determined by the bandwidth of the microstrip patch antenna and feed network.

Figure 9

Figure 9 Simulated monostatic RCS of the retrodirective array at different angles and frequencies.

Preservation of the retrodirective array’s characteristics from 5.6 to 5.75 GHz is due to the wide beam pattern formed by the combined elements, although individual antenna element gain patterns exhibit amplitude attenuation and shape distortion. The reduction of RCS beamwidth is caused by a decrease in element gain due to the shift in operating frequency. It still exhibits an RCS beamwidth from – 40 to 40 degrees.

Table II compares the results of recently published work on retrodirective arrays with the results presented here. This array has advantages in unit number, overall size and RCS beamwidth.

Table 2

CONCLUSION

A compact, low profile, low scattering, low cost and wide-angle retrodirective array achieves a simulated monostatic RCS beamwidth greater than – 3 dB from – 57 to + 57 degrees and a measured monostatic RCS beamwidth greater than – 3 dB from – 52 to + 52 degrees. The retrodirective characteristic is maintained within the antenna element operational bandwidth by employing a frequency-independent feed network.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors would like to thank the mmWave Communication Laboratory of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China for its support in providing the test equipment and site facilities. The authors would also like to thank Professor Xianqi Lin for his advice and help in selecting the topic, determining the framework of the paper and reviewing the draft.

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