Application of the Reaction Theorem to Calculate the Coupling between Array Antennas on an Integrated Mast

Abstract

This study applies the reaction theorem to efficiently calculate the interference between antennas. Conventional methods to calculate the interference between antennas required a full-wave analysis when the distance or position between the antennas was changed, increasing the analysis time. By utilizing the reaction theorem for the antenna interference calculations, the individual antennas can be analyzed using the full-wave analysis, and environmental effects, such as antenna placement and platform, can be considered using the reaction theorem. The reaction theorem was applied to formulate the antenna interference problem. The proposed scheme was validated by comparing the results computed utilizing the reaction theorem and those computed by full-wave analysis of the coupling between blade and wire dipole antennas. The effect of the conducting plates was considered by applying the image theory. Finally, the coupling between two array antennas was considered. The array comprised vertical infinitesimal dipoles. Two arrays were placed on the neighboring faces of the integrated mast structure and the reaction between the arrays was calculated as a function of the main beam direction.