Phased array design including consideration of mutual coupling with application to Urbana coherent-scatter radar

The coherent scatter radar technique as a tool for the measurement of internal atmospheric gravity waves is reviewed. The deficiencies of the present coherent scatter radar antenna are discussed. The specifications for an antenna system with steerability and a tenfold increase in gain over the present fixed beam array are given. General theories are developed for the description of multiport antennas and for the design of discrete scanning arrays based on the "interlaced array' principle. Two dipole array designs meeting the proposed specifications are developed using the above theories. The effects of mutual coupling are considered in the designs and also in gain calculations through computations of the driving point impedance of a dipole in an active array environment. For the purpose of feed system design a general theory is also developed for the description of systems of coupled transmission lines.