The structure of the radiation pattern and the role of amplitude-phase distributions in curved antenna arrays

The structure of the radiation pattern of curved antenna arrays in its own plane is considered, along with the conditions under which these patterns are formed and the features of the resulting amplitude-phase distribution that are seen as characteristic when compared with the distributions used in linear arrays. To simplify the analysis, use is made of a known method of reducing the study of the directional effect of discrete arrays to a study of quasi-continuous systems that assumes a quantity of active elements sufficient for an integral representation of the radiation pattern. It is also assumed that the arrays operate under the ideal known conditions of free space and that the active elements (irrespective of their angular or linear dimensions) possess a directivity whose principal maximum is directed along the radius of the curve and does not vary anywhere along the aperture of the array (the fringe effect being neglected).