Nonideal Mathematical Model Development of Time-Modulated Antenna Arrays

In this work, an accurate mathematical model for time-modulated antenna arrays (TMAs) is proposed based on the nonideal characteristics in practical TMA developments. Nonideal characteristics including rising edge and falling edge of radio frequency (RF) switches, amplitude and phase imbalances among RF channels, mutual coupling, and polarization purity of antenna elements are investigated and considered in the mathematical model. With the proposed mathematical model, sidelobe levels and cross-polarization levels are accurately predicted for TMAs. Numerical analysis and experimental validations for a Ku-band TMA are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the mathematical model. The proposed model provides a reliable approach to predict the performance of TMA with nonideal characteristics in practical developments.