Design and Simulation of Phased Arrays For Radar/Aerospace Applications

By Gent Paparisto, AWR Group, NI

Phased array antenna systems, which use sets of two or more antennas, offer improved performance over single antennas and are well-known for their usefulness in radar and aerospace applications. Phased arrays are seeing increased use in automotive, satellite, public safety, and advanced wireless communications systems. Communication system design software, such as NI AWR Design Environment/Visual System Simulator (VSS), supports the design and analysis of phased arrays, as well as their implementation in a system of antenna elements, power divider/combiners, phase shifters, and other typical components. This article examines how software can be used to simulate both small and large phased arrays in typical configurations.

Design software for complex communication systems enables engineers to examine system architectures, and to formulate suitable specifications for each of the underlying components. In the case of a phased array, the designer will use antenna and component characterizations obtained from various design tools or from measurements, and then place them into the desired array configuration. The entire system then can be simulated, studied, and optimized to achieve design goals.