LECTURE 17: LINEAR ARRAYS PART III

(N-element linear array with uniform spacing and non-uniform

amplitude: binomial array; DolphTschebyscheff array; directivity
and design considerations.)

1. Advantages of linear array with non uniform amplitude

The most often met BSAs, classifed according to the type of
their excitation amplitude, are:
a) the uniform BSA relatively high directivity, but the side-
lobe levels are high;
b) DolphTschebyscheff (Chebyshev, ) BSA for a
given number of elements directivity next after that of the
uniform BSA, but side-lobe levels are the lowest in
comparison with the other two types of arrays for a given
directivity.
c) Binomial BSA does not have good directivity but has
very low side-lobe levels (when d = / 2 , there are no side
lobes at all).

2. Array factor (AF) of a linear array with non-uniform

amplitude distribution

fig. 6.17 pp.291, Balanis

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Examples of AFs of arrays of non-uniform amplitude distribution:

a) uniform amplitude distribution (N=5, d = / 2 , 0 = 90D )

b) triangular (1:2:3:2:1) amplitude distribution (N=5, d = / 2 ,

0 = 90D )

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c) binomial (1:4:6:4:1) amplitude distribution (N=5, d = / 2 ,
0 = 90D )

d) Dolph-Tschebyschev (1:1.61:1.94:1.61:1) amplitude

distribution (N=5, d = / 2 , 0 = 90D )

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 e) Dolph-Tschebyschev (1:2.41:3.14:2.41:1) amplitude
distribution (N=5, d = / 2 , 0 = 90D )

Notice that as the current amplitude is tapered more towards

the edges of the array, the side-lobes tend to decrease, and the
beamwidth tends to increase.
Let us consider a linear array with an even number (2M) of
elements, located symmetrically along the z-axis, with excitation,
which is also symmetrical with respect to z = 0 . For a broadside
array, ( = 0) :
1 3 2 M 1
j kd cos j kd cos j kd cos
AF =e
a1e 2 + a2 e 2 + ... + aM e 2 +
(17.1)
1 3 2 M 1
j kd cos j kd cos j kd cos
+ a1e 2 + a2 + ... + aM
e 2 e 2

M
2n 1
AF = 2 an cos
e
kd cos (17.2)
n =1 2

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 If the linear array consists of an odd number (2M+1) of
elements, located symmetrically along the z-axis, then the array
factor is:
AF o = 2a1 + a2 e jkd cos + a3e j 2 kd cos + ... + aM +1e jMkd cos +
(17.3)
jkd cos j 2 kd cos jMkd cos
+ a2 e + a3e + ... + aM +1e
M +1
AF = 2 an cos ( n 1) kd cos
o
(17.4)
n =1
The factors (2) in equations (17.2) and (17.4) are unimportant for
the normalized AF. Equations (17.2) and (17.4) can be re-written
as:
M
AF = an cos ( 2n 1) u , where N = 2 M
e
(17.5)
n =1
M +1
AF o = an cos 2 ( n 1) u , where N = 2 M + 1 (17.6)
n =1

d
Here, u = cos .

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3. Binomial array
The binomial BSA was investigated and proposed by J.S.
Stones to synthesize patterns without side lobes. First, consider a
2element array (along the z-axis).

The elements of the array are identical and their excitation is the
same. Its array factor is of the form:
AF = 1 + Z , where Z = e j = e (
j kd cos + )
(17.7)
If the spacing is d / 2 and = 0 (broad-side maximum), this
array will have no side lobes at all.
Second, consider a 2element array whose elements are
identical and the same as the array given above. The distance
between the two arrays is again d.

d
y

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This new array has an AF of the form:
AF = (1 + Z )(1 + Z ) = 1 + 2 Z + Z 2 (17.8)
Since (1 + Z ) has no side lobes, (1 + Z )2 will not have side lobes
either.
Continuing the process for an N-element array produces:
AF = (1 + Z ) N 1 (17.9)
If d / 2 , the above AF will not have side-lobes regardless of the
number of elements N. The excitation amplitude distribution can
be obtained easily by the expansion of the binome in (17.9).
Making use of Pascals triangle:

1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1
..........................

the relative excitation amplitudes at each element of an (N+1)-

element array can be determined. Such an array with a binomial
distribution of the excitation amplitudes is called a binomial array.
The current (excitation) distribution as given by the binomial
expansion gives the relative values of the amplitudes. It is
immediately seen that there is too wide variation of the amplitude,
which is the major disadvantage of the BAs. The overall efficiency
of such antenna would be very low. Besides, the BA has relatively
wide beam. Its HPBW is the largest as compared to this of the
uniform BSA or the DolphChebyshev array.

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Approximate closed-form expression for the HPBW of a BA with
d = / 2 is:
1.06 1.06 1.75
HPBW = = = (17.10)
N 1 2L L
where L = ( N 1)d is the arrays length. The AFs of 10-element
broadside binomial arrays (N=10) are given below.

Fig. 6.18, pp.293, Balanis

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The directivity of a broadside BA with spacing d = / 2 can be
calculated from the formula below:
2
D0 = 2( N 1)
(17.11)


2
cos cos

d
0 d = / 2

D0 =
( 2 N 2 )( 2 N 4 )...2 (17.12)
( 2 N 3)( 2 N 5) ...1

D0 = 1.77 N = 1.77 1 + 2 L (17.13)

4. DolphChebyshev (DCA)
ChebyshevTschebyscheff

Dolph proposed (in 1946) a method to design arrays with any

desired side-lobe levels and any HPBWs. This method is based on
the approximation of the pattern of the array by a Chebyshev
polynomial of order m, high enough to meet the requirement for
the side-lobe levels. Actually, a DCA with no side lobes (side-lobe
level of - dB) reduces to the binomial design.

4.1 The Chebyshev polynomials

The Chebyshev polynomials are defined by:

(1) m cosh(m cosh 1 | z |), z < 1

Tm ( z ) = cos(m cos 1 z ), 1 < z < 1 (17.14)
1
cosh(m cosh z ), z > 1

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A nice feature of Chebyschev polynomials is that Tm(z) of any
order m can be derived via a recursion formula, provided Tm-1(z)
and Tm-2(z) are defined.

Tm ( z ) = 2 zTm 1 ( z ) Tm 2 ( z ) (17.15)

Explicitly, (17.15) produces:

m = 0, T0 ( z ) = 1
m = 1, T1 ( z ) = z
m = 2, T2 ( z ) = 2 z 2 1
(17.16)
m = 3, T3 ( z ) = 4 z 3 3 z
m = 4, T4 ( z ) = 8 z 4 8 z 2 + 1
m = 5, T5 ( z ) = 16 z 5 20 z 3 + 5 z , etc.

If | z |< 1, then Chebyshev polynomials are related to the cosine

functions, see (17.14). One can always expand the function
cos(mx) as a polynomial of cos(x) of order m, e.g.,

cos 2 x = 2cos 2 x 1 (17.17)

This is done by making use of Eulers formula:

(e jx ) m = (cos x + j sin x) m = e jmx = cos(mx) + j sin(mx) (17.18)

Similar relations hold for the hyperbolic cosine function. From

the example (17.17), one can see that the Chebyshev argument z is
related to the cosine argument x by:

z = cos x or x = arccos z (17.19)

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Then (17.17) can be written as:

cos(2arccos z ) = 2 [ cos(2arccos z ) ] 1
2

cos(2arccos z ) = 2 z 2 1 = T2 ( z ) (17.20)

Compare it with definition (17.14) or with (17.16)-line 3.

Fig. 6.19, pp.296, Balanis

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Properties of Chebyshev polynomials:
1) All polynomials of any order m pass through the point (1,1).
2) Within the range 1 z 1, the polynomials have values
within [-1,1].
3) All nulls occur within 1 z 1.
4) The maxima and minima in the z [ 1,1] range have values
+1 and 1, respectively.
5) The higher the order of the polynomial, the steeper the slope
for | z |> 1

4.2 Chebyshev array design

The main goal is to approximate the desired AF with a
Chebyshev polynomial such that
the side-lobe level meets the requirements, and
the main beam width is small enough.
An array of N elements has an AF, which can be approximated
with a Chebyshev polynomial of order m that is always:

m = N 1, (17.21)
where: N = 2 M , if N is even;
N = 2 M + 1 , if N is odd.

In general, for a given side-lobe level, the higher the order of

the polynomial, the narrower the beamwidth. But for m>10, the
difference is not substantial (see the slopes of Tm ( z ) in the
previous figure).

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 The AF of an N-element array (17.5) or (17.6) will be identical
with a Chebyshev polynomial if:

M
an cos [ (2n 1)u ], N = 2 M -even
n =1
TN 1 ( z ) = (17.22)
M +1
a cos [ 2(n 1)u ], N = 2M + 1-odd

n =1
n

d
Here, u = cos .

Let the side-lobe level be:

E 1
R0 = max = (voltage ratio) (17.23)
Esl AFsl
Then the maximum of TN 1 is fixed at an argument z0 , where
1 ( z0 ) = R0 ,
TNmax (17.24)
where TN 1 > 1.
Equation (17.24) corresponds to AF (u ) = AF max (u0 ) .
Obviously, z0 must satisfy the condition:
z0 > 1 (17.25)
Then, the portion of AF (u ) , which corresponds to TN 1 ( z ) for
| z |< 1, will have levels lower or equal to the specified side-lobe
level R0 . This portion of AF must correspond to the out-ot-main-
beam radiation pattern, i.e. the side lobes. The AF is a polynomial
of cosu and the TN 1 ( z ) is a polynomial of z where the limits for z
are:
1 z z 0 (17.26)

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Since
1 cos u 1 (17.27)
the relation between z and cosu must be set as:
z
cos u = (17.28)
z0
where z0 > 1 .

Array design for an array of N elements general procedure

1) Expand the AF as given by (17.5) or (17.6) by replacing each
cos(mu ) term ( m = 1, 2,..., M ) with the power series of cosu .
2) Determine z0 such that TN 1 ( z0 ) = R0 (voltage ratio).
3) Substitute cos u = z / z0 in the AF as found in the previous
step.
4) Equate the AF found in Step 3 to TN 1 ( z ) and determine the
coefficients for each power of z.

Example: Design a DCA (broadside) of N=10 elements with a

major-to-minor lobe ratio of R0 = 26 dB. Find the excitation
coefficients and form the AF.

Solution:
1. The AF is:
5
d
AF2 M = an cos [ (2n 1)u ], u = cos
n =1
2. Expand AF2 M in terms of cosu :
AF10 = a1 cos u + a2 cos3u + a3 cos5u + a4 cos 7u + a5 cos9u
Here:
cos3u = 4cos3 u 3cos u
cos5u = 16cos5 u 20cos3 u + 5cos u
cos7u = 64cos7 u 112cos5 u + 56cos3 u 7cos u
cos9u = 256cos9 u 576cos7 u + 432cos5 u 120cos3 u + 9cos u

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3. Determine z0 :
26
R0 = 26 dB R0 = 10 20  20
T9 ( z0 ) = 20
cosh 9cosh 1 ( z0 ) = 20
9cosh 1 ( z0 ) = cosh 1 20 = 3.69
cosh 1 ( z0 ) = 0.41
z0 = cosh 0.41
z0 = 1.08515

4. Express the AF in terms of z = z0 cos u :

z
AF10 = ( a1 3a2 + 5a3 7 a4 + 9a5 )
z0
z3
+ 3 ( 4a2 20a3 + 56a4 120a5 )
z0
z5
+ 5 (160a3 112a4 + 432a5 )
z0
z7
+ 7 ( 64a4 576a5 )
z0
z9
+ 9 ( 256a5 ) = 9
z 120 z 3 + 432 
z 5 576 z 7 + 256

z9
z0 T9 ( z )

5. Finding the coefficients by matching the power terms:

256a5 = 256 z0 a5 = 2.0860
9

64a4 576a5 = 576 z07 a4 = 2.8308

16a3 112a4 + 432a5 = 432 z05 a3 = 4.1184
4a2 20a3 + 56a4 120a5 = 120 z07 a2 = 5.2073

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 a1 3a2 + 5a3 7a4 + 9a5 = 9 z09 a1 = 5.8377

Fig. 6.20b, pp.298, Balanis

6. Normalize coefficients with respect to edge element (N=5):

a5 = 1; a4 = 1.357; a3 = 1.974; a2 = 2.496; a1 = 2.789

AF10 = 2.789cos ( u ) + 2.496cos ( 3u ) + 1.974cos ( 5u )

+ 1.357cos ( 7u ) + cos ( 9u )

d
where u = cos .

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 Fig. 6.21, pp.300, Balanis

4.3. The maximum affordable d, d max , for Chebyshev arrays.

This restriction arises from the requirement for a single major
lobe see also equation (17.26).
z 1
d
z0 cos cos 1 (17.29)

For a given array, when varies from 0D to 180D , the argument z
assumes values:
d d
from z = z0 cos to z = z0 cos

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 d
The extreme value z to the left of the abscissa is z = z0 cos

(end-fire directions of the AF, = 0 or 180 ). This value must
not go beyond z = 1 ; otherwise minor lobes of levels higher than
1 (higher than R0 ) will appear. Therefore, the inequality (17.29)
must hold for = 0 or 180:
d d 1
z0 cos max 1 cos max
z0
Let:
1
= arccos
z0
Then:
d max 1
< = arccos
z0
d max 1 1
<1 arccos (17.30)
z0

In the previous example:

d max 1 1 0.39879
< 1 arccos = 1 = 0.873
1.08515
d max < 0.873

5. Directivity of non-uniform arrays

It is difficult to derive closed form expressions for the
directivity of non-uniform arrays. Here, we shall derive
expressions in the form of series in the most general case of a
linear array.
The unnormalized array factor is:
N 1
AF = an e j n e jkzn cos (17.31)
n =0

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where:
an is the amplitude of the excitation of the n-th element;
n is the phase angle of the excitation of the n-th element;
zn is the z-coordinate of the n-th element.

The maximum AF is:

N 1
AFmax = an (17.32)
n =1
The normalized AF is:
N 1

AF
ane j e jkz cos
n n

n =0
AFn = = N 1
(17.33)
AFmax
an
n =1
The beam solid angle is derived as:

A = 2 AFn ( ) sin d
2

0
N 1 N 1
2 j( m p )
2 m p
jk ( zm z p ) cos
A =
N 1
a a e
m = 0 p =0
e sin d
n
0
a
n =1
where:

jk ( zm z p ) cos
2sin k ( zm z p )
e sin d =
k ( zm z p )
0

4 N 1 N 1
j( m p )
sin k ( zm z p )
A = 2 am a p e k ( zm z p )
N 1 m=0 p =0
n a (17.34)
n =1

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 4
D0 =
A
2
N 1
an
D0 = n =1 (17.35)
j ( m p ) sin
k ( zm z p )
N 1 N 1
am a p e k ( zm z p )
m =0 p =0

For equispaced LA (17.35) reduces to:

2
N 1
an
D0 = N 1 N 1 n =1 (17.36)
j ( m p ) 2sin [ ( m p ) kd ]
m p a a e
(m p )kd
m=0 p =0
because zn = nd .

For equispaced broadside arrays, where m = p for any (m,p),

equation (17.36) reduces to:
2
N 1
an
D0 = N 1 N 1 n =1 (17.37)
sin [ (m p )kd ]
m p (m p)kd
a a
m =0 p =0

For equispaced broadside uniform arrays:

N2
D0 = N 1 N 1 (17.38)
2sin [ (m p )kd ]
(m p)kd
m=0 p =0

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 When the spacing d is a multiple of / 2 , equation (17.37)
reduces to:
2
N 1
an

D0 = Nn=11 , d = , ,... (17.39)
2
n ( a ) 2

n=0

Example: Calculate the directivity of the DolphChebyshev array

designed in the previous example if d = / 2 .

The 10-element DCA has the following amplitude distribution:

a5 = 1; a4 = 1.357; a3 = 1.974; a2 = 2.496; a1 = 2.798
We make use of (17.39):
2
5
4 an
D0 = 2 n =1 =2
( 9.625 )
2
= 8.9 (9.5 dB) (17.40)
20.797
2 ( an ) 2
n =0

6. Half-power beamwidth of a BS DCA.

For large DCA with side lobes in the range (-20 to 60) dB,
the HPBW can be found by introducing a beam-broadening factor,
f, given by:
2
2
f = 1 + 0.636 cosh (arccosR0 ) 2 2 (17.41)

0
R
The HPBW of the DCA is equal to the product of the broadening
factor by the HPBW of the respective uniform linear array:
HPBWDCA = f HPBWUA (17.42)
In (17.41) R0 denotes the side-lobe level (voltage ratio).

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