A pattern-synthesis procedure for regular planar arrays

The synthesis of radiation pattern functions for symmetric hexagonal arrays is considered. The concept of number of degrees of freedom in the array illumination is introduced, and the pattern characteristics of the seven element array are developed. The relationship between multiplication of pattern functions and convolution of array illuminations is established. Synthesis techniques with zero and one degree of freedom are presented and demonstrated with examples. The technique with zero degrees of freedom generates hexagonal arrays which are analogous to linear arrays with binomial-coefficient illuminization.