Elementary patterns for large conformal arrays

A conformal array is described which has large number of dipole or slot columns circular-symmetrically distributed along the circumference of a conducting cylinder. A dipole or slot column is consisted of an infinite number of array elements in the cylinder axial direction. Because of this three dimensional array geometry, beam scan in elevation as well as in azimuth can be carried out. To investigate the beam scan characteristics of these antenna arrays flush mounted on cylindrical surfaces, the elementary patterns of these arrays are derived. For a conformal dipole array, the separation between the dipole elements and the conducting surface is within a quarter wavelength and the space between them is filled with a dielectric material, the dielectric constant of which is given as epsilon. The special case when epsilon is equal to epsilon sub 0, the dielectric constant of the free space, is also studied. In general, however, the dipole elements can be considered as the printed dipoles on a dielectric board which is clad on a conducting cylinder. For a conformal slow array, the radiating elements are the open waveguides at the surface of a conducting cylinder which is covered with a thin dielectric sheet.