Comparative Analysis of Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Under the

Influence of Number of Elements and Spacing between the Elements with

Uniform and Non-uniform Excitations
Chirappanth B Albert1 , Ajila Paul2 , Mobia Jacob3 , Shashikumar D4
Christ University, Faculty of Engineering, Kaniminike, Bangalore 56, India
1 albertbazil@gmail.com
2 ajilapaul@gmail.com
3 mobia.mobia41@gmail.com
4 shashikumar.d@christuniversity.in

The field of wireless mobile communications is growing at an explosive rate, covering many technical areas.
Its sphere of influence is beyond imagination. The worldwide activities in this growth industry are perhaps an
indication of its importance. An application of antenna arrays has been suggested in recent years for mobile
communications systems to overcome the problem of limited channel bandwidth, thereby satisfying an ever
growing demand for a large number of mobiles on communications channels. It has been shown by many studies
that when an array is appropriately used in a mobile communications system, it helps in improving the system
performance by increasing channel capacity and spectrum efficiency, extending range coverage, tailoring beam
shape, steering multiple beams to track many mobiles and compensating aperture distortion electronically [8].
In this paper we are Analyzing the performance of various antenna array systems by simulating antenna patterns
under the influence of number of elements and varying the spacing between the elements with the help of
MATLAB version 7.10.0.499 (R2010a) and conclusions are drawn.
Keywords:

Array factor; Binomial array; Dolph Tschebyscheff; Uniform; Directivity; Radiation pattern.

1. Introduction
The Radiation pattern of an antenna is a diagram of field strength or more often the power intensity as a function
of the aspect angle at a constant distance from the radiating antenna. An antenna pattern is three dimensional but
for practical reasons it is normally presented as a two dimensional pattern in one or several planes. An antenna
pattern consists of several lobes; the main lobe, side lobes and the back lobe. The major power is concentrated
in the main lobe and it is required to keep the power in the side lobes and back lobe as low as possible.
The power intensity at the maximum of the main lobe compared to the power intensity achieved from an
imaginary Omni-directional antenna (radiating equally in all directions) with the same power fed to the antenna
is defined as gain of the antenna. As we know that the 3 dB beam width is the angle between the two points on
a main lobe where the power intensity is half the maximum power intensity [1]. When measuring an antenna
pattern, it is normally most interesting to plot the pattern far from the antenna. It is also very important to
avoid disturbing reflection. Antenna measurements are normally made at anechoic chambers made of absorbing
materials.
One of the main advantages of antenna arrays with respect to other types of antennas is the ability to direct
its beam electronically through the excitement phase between the elements. The practical analysis of antenna
arrays with physical experimental setup is complex and costly. To reduce costs and risks, and to improve the
performance of the arrays, we use simulations.
The radiation pattern of an array in free space depends on four factors:
The relative positions of the individual radiators with respect to each other
E-mail address: albertbazil@gmail.com

2012 Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd.

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Comparative Analysis of Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Under the Influence of Number of Elements
The relative phases of the currents of fields in them
The relative magnitudes of the individual radiator currents or fields
The patterns of the individual radiators
In this paper we discuss mainly the following antenna array radiation patterns
Uniform Array.
Binomial Array.
Dolph Tschebyscheff Array.
1.1 Uniform array
A uniform array is defined by uniformly-spaced identical elements of equal magnitude with a linearly progressive phase from element to element.
1 = 0 2 =

3 = 2 . . .

 N = (N 1)

(1)

After inserting this linear phase progression into the formula for the general N element array gives the array
factor (AF) as [12].
( AF) N = 1 + e j + e j 2 + e j 3 + + e j (N 1)
(2)
where
= + d cos
The array factors for odd and even number of elements are (3) and (4)
( AF) N =
( AF) N =

(M+1)/2


an cos[2(n 1)d cos ]

n=1
M/2


an cos[(n 1)d cos ]

N = Odd

N = Even

(3)

(4)

n=1

The is defined as the array phase function and is a function of the element spacing, phase shift, frequency and
elevation angle [1].
1.2 Binomial Array
It is an array of non uniform amplitude, where the amplitude of radiating source is arranged according to the
coefficients of the successive terms in binomial series. It is preferred for those applications that do not entertain
side lobes for uniform linear array if we add number of elements to get the directivity, side lobes increases.
Binomial array is so called because the amplitudes of excitation are chosen from the binomial expansion is
the number of array elements, and is the index of position of the element [3]. What is relevant to this distribution
is that the array factor produced contains no minor lobes, as long as the spacing between elements is less than
or equal to half wavelength.
Given a two element array with equal current amplitudes and spacing, the array factor is
AF = 1 + e j
AF = (1 + e

(5)
)(1 + e

) = 1 + 2e

+e

j 2

(6)

This array factor, being the square of an array factor with no side lobes, also has no side lobes. Mathematically,
the array factor above represents a 3-element equally-spaced array driven by current amplitudes with ratios of
1:2:1. Elimination of the secondary lobe takes place at the cost of directivity. Half Power Beam Width (HPBW)
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Figure 1. Pascals Triangle

of binomial array is more than that of uniform array for some length of the array. Binomial array use the
principle of multiplication of pattern [3].
The excitation coefficients for the binomial array are given by Pascals triangle [1, 3]
where the binomial series expansion is
(1 + x)m1 = 1 + (m 1)x + [(m 1)(m 2)x 2 /2!] + [(m 1)(m 2)(m 3)x 3 /3!] +

(7)

When we are considering the case of different number of elements mainly odd and even the array factor that we
come across are as follows [1]

Figure 2. Antenna Array with odd and even number of elements

Disadvantages of Binomial Arrays

HPBW increases and hence the directivity decreases
For the design of a large array, large amplitude source is needed.
1.3 Dolph Tschebyscheff Array
In Dolph Tschebyscheff Array here is a trade off between the narrow beamwidth of the main lobe while trying
to keep a low side level [3]. When the former is increased the latter deteriorates and vice versa or in other words
Dolph Tchebyscheff array produces the narrowest beam width for a given side lobe level and vice versa.
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Comparative Analysis of Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Under the Influence of Number of Elements
Dolph Tchebyscheff current amplitude distribution is optimum for d /2. Here reduction inside the lobe
cannot be achieved without the sacrifice of antenna performance in some other respect, like beam width and
gain or directivity. It is possible to get it in practice, by this method a high gain narrow beam antennas for the
side lobe levels of 2030 dB especially for radar use [5].
We know that
Cos 0u = 1
Cos 1u = Cos u
Cos 2u = 2Cos2 u 1
Cos 3u = 4Cos3 u 3Cos u
And so on. . . . . .
Through the transformation of x = cos u, the terms may be written as a set of polynomials called
Tschebyscheff polynomials (Tn (x)) [1, 3].
Cos 0u = 1 = T0 (x)
Cos 1u = x = T1 (x)
Cos 2u = 2x 2 1 = T2 (x)
Cos 3u = 4x 3 3x = T3 (x)
By inspection we can write the recursive relation as
Tm+1 (x) = 2Tm (x)T1 (x) Tm1 (x)

(8)

Using properties of the Tschebyscheff polynomials, we may design arrays with specific side lobe characteristics.

Figure 3. Tchebyscheff polynomial when m is odd

Properties of Dolph Tchebyscheff Polynomial are

All the polynomial in the range 1 < x < 1 oscillates between the value of 1.
In the range of |x| < 1, the m th order polynomial crosses the axis m times.
In the range of |x| > 1, the polynomial increases without limit at the rate proportional to x m .
Tn (1) = 1 for all Tchebyscheff Polynomial.

As x is varied from a point to xo and back to the very same point, then the function T n(x) traces out the pattern
that consist of many small side lobes, one major lobe. The side lobes arise in the region x < 1, and main lobe
extends far in the range of x > 1 [1, 3].
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Figure 4. Tschebyscheff polynomial when m is even

Advantages of Dolph Tschebyscheff Polynomial

Minimum or optimum beam width for a specified degree side lobe reduction.
Results in side lobe that are all of same amplitude unlike uniform distribution in which side lobe near
adjacent to the main lobe is largest and others decreases as the angle increase from the main lobe.
Tapering is not extreme (compared to Binomial, the ratio of current between the centre element and the
end element is small that provides ease in feeding back) [3].
2. Simulations and Results
To analyze the performance of various antenna array systems we obtained simulation results by varying number
of elements and the spacing between the elements using MATLAB version 7.10.0.499 (R2010a).
A. Uniform Array Radiation Pattern for Different Number Of Elements and Different Spacing
In uniform array excitation coefficients are of uniform amplitude. In uniform linear array if we add number of
elements to get the directivity, side lobes increases. Uniform array is efficient for large number of elements and
distance between elements less. It can be used for short distance communication.
B. Binomial Array Radiation Pattern for Different Number of Elements and Different Spacing
In binomial array, the excitation coefficients are amplitudes of radiating sources arranged according to the
coefficients of the successive terms in binomial series.In binomial array if we add number of elements directivity
increases, side lobes vanishes if spacing between two sources doesnt exceed /2. Binomial array is efficient for
large number of elements and distance between elements less and can be used for long distance communication.

Figure 5. Radiation pattern for different spacing between elements in increasing order with number of elements N = 4

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Comparative Analysis of Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Under the Influence of Number of Elements

Figure 6. Radiation pattern for different spacing between elements in increasing order with number of elements N = 4

Figure 7. Radiation pattern for different number of elements in increasing order with spacing d = 0.5

Figure 8. Radiation pattern for different spacing between elements in increasing order with number of elements N = 4

2.1 Dolph Tchebyscheff Array Radiation Pattern for Different Number of Elements and Different Spacing
In Dolph Tchebyscheff array excitation coefficients are amplitudes of radiating sources arranged according to
the coefficients of the Dolph Tchebyscheff polynomial.
If we add number of elements directivity increases and produces the narrowest beam width for a given side
lobe level. Dolph Tchebyscheff array is efficient for large number of elements and distance between elements
less. It can be used for long distance communication.
3. Result Analysis
3.1 Observations-Comparison of Uniform, Binomial, Tschebyscheff Array Radiation Patterns
In uniform linear array if we add number of elements to get the directivity, side lobes increases. So it can be used
for short distance communication. HPBW increases in Binomial array if we increase the number of elements
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Figure 9. Radiation pattern for different number of elements in increasing order with spacing d = 0.5

Figure 10. Radiation pattern for different spacing between elements in increasing order with number of elements N = 4

Figure 11. Radiation patterns of Uniform and Binomial and Dolph Tschebyscheff array

and hence the directivity decreases. Elimination of the secondary lobe takes place at the cost of directivity. It can
be used for long distance communication. Dolph Tschebyscheff array produces the narrowest beam width for
a given side lobe level.
4. Conclusions
In uniform linear array if we add number of elements to get the directivity, side lobes increases. Uniform array
is efficient for large number of elements and distance between elements less. In binomial array no side lobes
are introduced for d /2 and if we increase the number of elements, the directivity increases exponentially
with increased gain. HPBW increases in Binomial array if we increase the number of elements and hence the
directivity decreases. Elimination of the secondary lobes takes place at the cost of directivity. So to increase
directivity we go for Dolph Tschebyscheff array which produces the narrowest beam width for a given side
lobe level.
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Comparative Analysis of Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Under the Influence of Number of Elements
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