On systematic design of corporate feeds for chebyshev microstrip linear antenna arrays

We present a study that aims towards a systematic computer-aided design of corporate feeds (CFs) realizing required nonuniform amplitude excitations of microstrip antenna arrays. In this work, Chebyshev linear arrays are considered. We start from identifying candidate CFs. Numerical optimization of the fast CFs models allows for identifying the best architecture in terms of accuracy of realizing the required amplitude excitations, as well as finding the set of power split ratios of the junctions within the CF. The junctions of the best CF architecture are then implemented and tuned using a discrete full-wave modeler (solver). CF validation and tuning is also conducted at the full-wave simulation level. Finally, the entire aperture-feed circuit is validated with simulations. Our approach is illustrated using twelve element Chebyshev arrays where the quantities of interest are sidelobe level and reflection coefficient.