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AFRL-DE-PS-TR-2004-1038 AFRL-DE-PS-TR- 2004-1038 ANTENNA BEAM STEERING CONCEPTS FOR HIGH POWER APPLICATIONS Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss, and Tom McVeety Voss Scientific 418 Washington St SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 March 2004 Interim Report APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED. AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY Directed Energy Directorate 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM 87117-5776

ANTENNA BEAM STEERING CONCEPTS FOR HIGH POWER … · the beam steering capability of a large slot array in standard WR-650 waveguide. 2. Introduction There is considerable interest

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Page 1: ANTENNA BEAM STEERING CONCEPTS FOR HIGH POWER … · the beam steering capability of a large slot array in standard WR-650 waveguide. 2. Introduction There is considerable interest

AFRL-DE-PS-TR-2004-1038 AFRL-DE-PS-TR-2004-1038

ANTENNA BEAM STEERING CONCEPTS FOR HIGHPOWER APPLICATIONS

Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss, and Tom McVeety

Voss Scientific418 Washington St SEAlbuquerque, NM 87108

March 2004

Interim Report

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED.

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORYDirected Energy Directorate3550 Aberdeen Ave SEAIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMANDKIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM 87117-5776

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STINFO COPY

AFRL-DE-PS-TR-2004-1038

Using Government drawings, specifications, or other data included in this document for anypurpose other than Government procurement does not in any way obligate the U.S. Government.The fact that the Government formulated or supplied the drawings, specifications, or other data,does not license the holder or any other person or corporation; or convey any rights or permissionto manufacture, use, or sell any patented invention that may relate to them.

This report has been reviewed by the Public Affairs Office and is releasable to the NationalTechnical Information Service (NTIS). At NTIS, it will be available to the general public,including foreign nationals.

If you change your address, wish to be removed from this mailing list, or your organization nolonger employs the addressee, please notify AFRL/DEHE, 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB,NM 87117-5776.

Do not return copies of this report unless contractual obligations or notice on a specific documentrequires its return.

This report has been approved for publication.

//signed//ANDREW D. GREENWOOD, DR-IIIProject Manager

//signed// //signed//REBECCA N. SEEGER, Col, USAF L. BRUCE SIMPSON, SESChief, High Power Microwave Division Director, Directed Energy Directorate

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REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEForm Approved

OMB No. 0704-0188Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining thedata needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducingthis burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currentlyvalid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)16-03-2004

2. REPORT TYPEInterim Report

3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 01-08-2003 to 31-01-2004

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLEAntenna Beam Steering Concepts for High Power Applications

5a. CONTRACT NUMBERF29601-03-M-01015b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER65502F

6. AUTHOR(S)

Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss, and Tom McVeety5d. PROJECT NUMBER30055e. TASK NUMBERDP5f. WORK UNIT NUMBERCE

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER

Voss Scientific418 Washington St SEAlbuquerque, NM 87108

9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S)AFRL/DEHE3550 Aberdeen Ave SEKirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT

NUMBER(S)

AFRL-DE-PS-TR-2004-103812. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACTThere is considerable interest in antennas that are high power capable, platform conformal,and steerable. These attributes are often at odds with one another, but we will discussapproaches to mechanically steer the direction of the peak beam of a large-slot arrayantenna. Traditionally, the slot spacing determines the direction of the radiated main beamof the antenna, and beam steering is accomplished by varying the frequency. But HPM sourcesare typically incapable of changing the operating frequency on the required time scales. Wewill show that beam steering can be accomplished by moving in or out, or deforming, thenarrow wall of the rectangular waveguide. The first of two concepts considers themathematically tractable wave properties (guide wavelength, propagation constant) associatedwith simple variations in the dimension of the broad wall of rectangular waveguide. Thesecond approach involves the deformation of the narrow walls. The properties of this secondapproach are investigated through finite difference time domain simulation.

15. SUBJECT TERMSElectromagnetics; high power microwaves; antennas

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATIONOF ABSTRACT

18. NUMBEROF PAGES

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSONAndrew Greenwood

a. REPORTUnclassified

b. ABSTRACTUnclassified

c. THIS PAGEUnclassified SAR 26

19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (include areacode)505-846-6642

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98)Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239.18

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Contents

1. Summary...........................................................................................................................................12. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................13. Rectangular Waveguide Geometry and Operating Characteristics ............................................34. Dependence of Wave Properties on Broadwall Width................................................................65. Direction of the Main Beam of a Waveguide Slot Array ............................................................86. Mechanical Beam Steering Concepts ............................................................................................9

6.1 Mechanical Beam Steering Concept No. 1...........................................................................96.2 Mechanical Beam Steering Concept No. 2.........................................................................11

7. Example ..........................................................................................................................................138. Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................15

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Slot arrays in the broadwall of rectangular waveguide: (a) standard, low powercapable, waveguide slot array; and (b) Voss Scientific’s high power capable, large-slotwaveguide array antenna concept..................................................................................................2

Figure 2. Rectangular waveguide is defined by a width ( b ) and a height (a ). ...........................4Figure 3. Guide wavelength of the fundamental mode in standard rectangular waveguide. The

independent parameter is the free space wavelength λ0..............................................................5Figure 4. The normalized guide wavelength and propagation constant of a wave in the TE01

mode propagating at 1.3 GHz as a function of the broadwall width. ........................................7Figure 5. The narrow walls are slid in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension of the

broadwall of a rectangular waveguide. .......................................................................................10Figure 6. The narrow walls are bowed in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension of the

broadwall of a rectangular waveguide: (a) narrow walls are bowed in; and (b) the narrowwalls are bowed out.......................................................................................................................12

Figure 7. The radiated pattern of an 8-element slot array (simulated by a dipole array). Thepattern’s direction of peak gain moves as a function of the broadwall width. The waveguideis WR-650 (nominal) and the frequency is 1.12 GHz. ...............................................................14

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List of Tables

Table 1. Values of the guide wavelength (λz) and propagation constant (k z) as a function ofthe parameter ß for nominal WR-650 waveguide dimensions and the operating frequency off0 = 1.12 GHz (λ0 = 10.55 in). Values for both mechanical concepts are shown asdetermined though simulation and analytical calculation.........................................................13

Table 2. Summary of the change of the beam peak as a function of the broadwall width. Thewaveguide is WR-650 (nominal) and the frequency is 1.12 GHz. ...........................................15

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1. Summary

There is considerable interest in antennas that are high power capable, conformal to their host

platform, and beam peak steerable. These attributes are often at odds with one another, but in

this paper we will discuss approaches to mechanically steer the direction of the peak beam of a

high power-capable, large-slot array antenna. The large-slot array antenna is formed from a

collection of large apertures in the broad wall of standard rectangular waveguide. This gives the

antenna inherently conformal properties with many types of platforms, and its large slots

accommodate high power. Traditionally, the slot spacing (as a fraction of wavelength) of a slot

array determines the direction of the radiated main beam of the antenna, and beam steering is

accomplished by varying the frequency. But HPM narrowband sources are typically incapable

of changing their operating frequency on the time scales normally associated with the concept of

operations of HPM missions. In this paper we will show that beam steering can be accomplished

by moving in or out, or deforming, the narrow wall of the rectangular waveguide. Two concepts

are presented. The first considers the mathematically tractable wave properties (guide

wavelength, propagation constant) associated with simple variations in the dimension of the

broad wall of rectangular waveguide. The second approach involves the deformation of the

narrow walls. The properties of this second approach are investigated through finite difference

time domain simulation. To conclude this paper, an example is presented which demonstrates

the beam steering capability of a large slot array in standard WR-650 waveguide.

2. Introduction

There is considerable interest in antennas that are high power capable, conformal to their host

platform, and beam peak steerable. These attributes are often at odds with one another, but in

this paper we will discuss approaches to control the direction of the peak beam of a high power-

capable, large-slot array antenna.

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One type of traditional waveguide slot array antenna utilizes narrow (in terms of wavelength)

slots in the broad wall of the guide, as shown in Figure 1a. The high power-capable, large-slot

array antenna concept is formed from a collection of large apertures in the broad wall of standard

rectangular waveguide, as shown in Figure 1b. This gives the antenna inherently conformal

properties with many types of platforms, and its large slots accommodate high power.

Traditionally, the slot spacing (as a fraction of wavelength) of a slot array determines the

direction of the radiated main beam of the antenna, and beam steering is accomplished by

varying the frequency. But HPM narrowband sources are typically not frequency tunable on the

time scales normally associated with the concept of operations of HPM missions.

(a) (b)

Figure 1. Slot arrays in the broadwall of rectangular waveguide: (a) standard, low

power capable, waveguide slot array; and (b) Voss Scientific’s high power

capable, large-slot waveguide array antenna concept.

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In this paper we will show that beam steering can be accomplished by moving in or out, or

deforming, the narrow wall of the rectangular waveguide. Two concepts are presented. The first

considers the mathematically tractable wave properties (guide wavelength, propagation constant)

associated with simple translation of the width of rectangular waveguide. The second approach

involves the deformation of the narrow walls. The properties of this approach are investigated

through finite difference time domain simulation. These investigations show specific

dependence of the wavelength and propagation constant as a function of the guide’s broadwall

dimension, or deformation of the narrow wall. To conclude this paper an example is presented

which demonstrates the beam steering capability of a large slot array in standard WR-650

waveguide.

3. Rectangular Waveguide Geometry and Operating

Characteristics

Rectangular waveguide is defined by a width ( b ) and a height (a ), with standard guide typically

exhibiting a 2:1 width to height ratio , / 2b a = . For purposes of our discussion, Figure 2 gives

the coordinates and geometry of rectangular waveguide. For fundamental, or dominant mode

propagation in standard rectangular waveguide [Ref. 1] the electric field distribution of the TE01

mode in the guide is given by

sin zj k zxE A ye

bπ −= , 0yE = , and 0zE = . (1)

where A = amplitude constant, b = broadwall dimension, and zk = propagation constant.

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Figure 2. Rectangular waveguide is defined by a width ( b ) and a height ( a ).

The cutoff frequency in such a rectangular waveguide filled with free space is given by

001( )

2c

cf

b= (2)

where

00 0

1c

ε µ=

is the speed of light in vacuum. Consequently, the cutoff wavelength is 01( ) 2c bλ = , and the

cutoff wave number, ck , of the TE01 mode is given by

01( )ckbπ

= (3)

The mode’s TE01 mode propagation constant (dropping the mode-specific notation with the

understanding that the TE01 mode is intended from here on) is given by

2

0

21 ( / )z ck f f

πλ

= − , (4)

where 0

2c c

cf k

π= , and its wavelength is

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2g

zkπ

λ = . (5)

The normalized guide wavelength of the fundamental mode in standard rectangular waveguide as

a function of the normalized broadwall width (both parameters normalized to the independent

parameter free space wavelength λ0) is shown in Figure 3. Also shown in the figure are the

values of the guide’s cutoff ( 0/ 0.5b λ = ) and of its first overmode ( 0/ 1b λ = ). The normal

operating band for standard rectangular waveguide is also indicated in the figure. Nominally, the

operating bandwidth for standard rectangular waveguide falls within the values 1.25 cf× and

1.85 cf× . For reference, the normalized value of guide wavelength for WR-650 operating at 1.3

GHz is indicated in the figure.

Figure 3. Guide wavelength of the fundamental mode in standard rectangular

waveguide. The independent parameter is the free space wavelength λ0.

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4. Dependence of Wave Properties on Broadwall Width

As described in the section above, the guide wavelength and propagation constant of the

propagating wave are functions of the broadwall dimension (for a fixed frequency). Or,

equivalently, the guide wavelength and propagation constant are functions of the operating

frequency (for a fixed value of the broadwall dimension).

To better illustrate the former dependence, values of the guide wavelength (normalized to the

free space wavelength) and propagation constant (normalized to the free space wave number) are

shown in Figure 4 as a function of the normalized broad wall dimension for 0 1.3f = GHz

( 0 0.2306λ = meter 9.079= inch, and 0 27.245k = meter-1). In this case the broadwall is

normalized to the value of the broad wall dimension of WR-650 rectangular waveguide ( 0 6.5b =

inch, 3.25a = inch). The guide wavelength at 1.3 GHz of the fundamental mode in WR-650

rectangular waveguide is 0 0.322gλ = meter. The graph of Figure 4 shows considerable variation

in the propagating modes parameters as the dimension of the broad wall is varied only slightly.

Specifically, the change in the normalized propagation constant and normalized guide

wavelength is approximately 15% for a variation in the broadwall of 1± inch from the nominal

value ( 0 6.5b = inch). The percent variation is determined as

Percent variation = 1 2

0 0

1 1g g

g g

λ λ

λ λ− × − (6)

where λg0=guide wavelength for the broadwall dimension of 6.5 inch, λg1=guide wavelength for

the broadwall dimension of 5.5 inch, and λg2=guide wavelength for the broadwall dimension of

7.5 inch. A similar relation is used to determine the variation of the normalized propagation

constant.

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Now consider the case where f0=1.12 GHz (λ0=0.268 meter=10.539 inch, and k0=23.27 meter-1),

and the nominal waveguide dimensions remain those of WR-650. A change in the broadwall

dimension of ±1 inch from its nominal value (b0=6.5 inch) results in changes to the propagation

constant and guide wavelength of approximately 43%!

The obvious conclusion is that the closer to cutoff one operates, the greater amount of phase

variation can be achieved with a fixed displacement of the waveguide broadwall dimension. The

other observation is that a greater amount of variation (percentage wise) is achieved by

decreasing the broadwall dimension than by increasing it.

Figure 4. The normalized guide wavelength and propagation constant of a wave in the

TE01 mode propagating at 1.3 GHz as a function of the broadwall width.

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5. Direction of the Main Beam of a Waveguide Slot Array

The radiated pattern of a non-resonant, traveling wave, slotted waveguide array, with slots placed

on alternating sides of the broadwall centerline, can be determined as follows [Ref. 2]. The array

factor that describes the radiated field of the slot array is

0( sin )

1

z

Nj k k nd jn

nn

F a e ψ π− +

=

= ∑ (7)

where 0 02 /k π λ= = free space wave number, =na slot amplitudes, and =ψ direction of pattern

peak (see Figure 1). For the radiation from all slots to add in phase in the −ψ direction,

0( sin ) 2zk k d mψ π π− + = , (8)

or,

0

0 0

(2 1)(2 1)sin 2( sin )

g

z g

mmd

k k

λ λπψ λ ψ λ

−−= =

− −. (9)

Choosing 0=m and solving for ψsin gives

dg 2sin 00 λ

−λλ

=ψ . (10)

The bounds

1sin1 +≤ψ≤− (11)

imply

)(2

3

)(2 0

0

0

0

g

g

g

g dλ+λ

λλ<<

λ+λ

λλ. (12)

This imposes the following restriction on the possible directions for the beam peak

λ

λ−λ<ψ<

π− −

g

g

3

2sin

201 (13)

For example, consider standard rectangular waveguide operating in fundamental mode at 1.12

GHz. The free space wavelength is 0 10.54λ = inch, 18.00gλ = , and the beam peak range is

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1 2 10.54 18.00sin 3.3

2 3 18.00π

ψ − × − − < < = × degrees. (14)

The design of the slotted waveguide array now proceeds by selecting a beam peak direction, and

then computing the slot separation. Choosing a pattern peak angle of 0peakψ = degrees for a

broadside peak, then the guide slot spacing is determined as

0

0

(10.54)(18.00)9.00

2( sin(0) ) 2[0 10.54]g

g

dλ λ

λ λ−

= − = =− −

in (15)

and adjacent slots are placed on opposite sides of the waveguide broadwall centerline with the

distance from the centerline governing the amount of power coupled out of each slot and the slot

impedance.

6. Mechanical Beam Steering Concepts

Two mechanical methods to steer the beam of a waveguide slot array are described in the

proceeding sections. Each concept changes the cross sectional geometry of the rectangular

waveguide in a manner that alters the wavelength and propagation constant of the guide’s

propagating mode. Changes in the direction of the main beam are then a consequence.

6.1 Mechanical Beam Steering Concept No. 1

In Figure 5 is shown the cross section of a rectangular waveguide. As indicated in the figure the

narrow walls are slid in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension of the broadwall of the

rectangular waveguide. As described above, when the broad wall dimension changes, the

propagation properties adjust accordingly.

Implementation of the above concept at high power could be a challenge mechanically.

Depending on the power propagated down the guide, there may be insulation requirements

(vacuum, SF6, or even oil). The manner in which the insulation would be contained within or

around the guide would then be a mechanical design issue and challenge. It’s well known that

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the electric current associated with the TE01 mode changes direction in the guide’s corners.

Consequently, the sliding surfaces between the narrow and broad walls would need to maintain

intimate contact to minimize the contact impedance in the corners. Failure to do so could result

in unwanted sparking and plasma generation in the guide. The next concept described below

avoids some of the mechanical challenges through a unique deformation of the narrow wall,

rather than sliding surfaces against one another.

Figure 5. The narrow walls are slid in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension of

the broadwall of a rectangular waveguide.

The changes in the guide wavelength and propagation constant as a function of the dimension of

the broad wall dimension are indicated in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

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6.2 Mechanical Beam Steering Concept No. 2

In Figure 6a and Figure 6b is shown the cross section of a rectangular waveguide. As indicated

in the figure the narrow walls are bowed in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension of the

broad wall of a rectangular waveguide. Though we present specific evidence later in this paper,

we assert now that as the contour of the narrow wall is changed, the propagation properties

adjust accordingly.

This concept has significant mechanical and electrical advantages over the one described above.

There are no seams between the narrow and broad walls, so insulation can be easily maintained

within the envelope of the guide interior. And there is no need to maintain intimate contact

among the sliding surfaces. For high power operation, Concept No. 2 is clearly superior.

To determine the dependence of the guide wavelength and propagation constant as a function of

the deformation of the narrow wall (as indicated in Figure 6), finite difference – time domain

simulations of several geometries were conducted. A 5 foot length of nominal WR-650

waveguide was defined with one end of the guide closed and the other end open to free space.

An excitation was specified at the closed end, and the grid size was 0.0625 inches. The FDTD

simulation time step size was 3.082 ps, and the simulation was run for 5,000 time steps. A

different value of ß was specified for each of eight simulations: ß = -0.5, -0.375, -0.25, -0.125,

+0.125, +0.25, +0.375 and +0.5 inches. Since the deformation, quantified by the parameter ß,

was carried out in tandem, the maximum / minimum cross sectional dimension of the xy-plane in

the y-direction is 2b β+ . When the simulation concluded, contours of the magnitude of the yE -

component of the electric field distribution in the guide were generated, and the distance between

adjacent field nulls was measured. From these measurements values of the guide wavelength

and propagation constant as a function of the parameter ß were determined for Concept 2. These

values are given in Table 1.

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(a)

(b)

Figure 6. The narrow walls are bowed in and out, in tandem, to adjust the dimension

of the broadwall of a rectangular waveguide: (a) narrow walls are bowed in;

and (b) the narrow walls are bowed out.

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Table 1. Values of the guide wavelength (λz) and propagation constant (kz) as a

function of the parameter ß for nominal WR-650 waveguide dimensions and

the operating frequency of f0 = 1.12 GHz (λ0 = 10.55 in). Values for both

mechanical concepts are shown as determined though simulation and

analytical calculation.

β (in) Maximum cross

sectional dimension

in y-direction (in)

Concept 1

(in)

zk

Concept 1

(m-1)

Concept 2

(in)

zk

Concept 2

(m-1)

-0.5 5.5 35.15 7.04 24.97 9.91

-0.375 5.75 25.95 9.53 22.34 11.07

-0.25 6.0 21.94 11.27 20.44 12.10

-0.125 6.25 19.51 12.68 19.12 12.94

0. 6.5 18.00 13.74 18.00 13.74

+0.125 6.75 16.92 14.62 17.56 14.09

+0.25 7.0 16.04 15.42 16.66 14.85

+0.375 7.25 15.42 16.04 16.32 15.16

+0.5 7.5 14.89 16.62 15.50 15.96

Also given in Table 1 are the corresponding values for Concept 1. One notes that Concept 1

offers a greater tuning range, as expected since the entire narrow wall is translated, but the values

for Concept 2 are not far different.

7. Example

To demonstrate the capability of the mechanical concepts presented here to steer the beam of a

waveguide slot array, an 8 array was defined, and the direction of the beam peak was

determined. For expediency a dipole array in free space was used as a surrogate structure for the

waveguide slot array. Shown in Figure 7 are the radiated patterns of an 8-element slot array with

the broadwall width as a parameter for WR-650 waveguide (nominal) and 1.12 GHz. One notes

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that changes to the broad wall of just 1 inch total (ß = +0.5 inch) results in a 5-degree change in

the beam direction. Simulations were also run for values of ß < 0, but are not shown in the

figure for clarity.

Figure 7. The radiated pattern of an 8-element slot array (simulated by a dipole

array). The pattern’s direction of peak gain moves as a function of the

broadwall width. The waveguide is WR-650 (nominal) and the frequency is

1.12 GHz.

Given in Table 2 are the values of the beam peak direction as a function of the broad wall width

(defined by ß) for WR-650 waveguide (nominal) and is 1.12 GHz. A steering range of 5+ and

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9− degrees is indicated in the table. The beam steering is not symmetrical about values of ß (see

Figure 3 and Figure 4). Finally, the asterisk in Table 2, for data associated with ß = -0.375 and ß

= -0.500, indicates that the beam begins to break up, and no longer has a single peak direction.

Table 2. Summary of the change of the beam peak as a function of the broadwall

width. The waveguide is WR-650 (nominal) and the frequency is 1.12 GHz.

Broadwall width (in) ß Peak direction (deg)

5.50 -0.50 81*

5.75 -0.375 83*

6.00 -0.25 85

6.25 -0.125 88

6.50 0.00 90

6.75 0.125 92

7.00 0.25 93

7.25 0.375 94

7.50 0.50 95

8. Conclusion

In this paper we have explored mechanical concepts for beam steering high power capable,

conformal antennas. In particular we have considered two specific methods to steer the direction

of the beam peak associated with a large-slot, waveguide slot array antenna. The first technique

proposes beam steering by simple translation of the narrow walls of a standard rectangular

waveguide to adjust the broadwall dimension. We gave specific relations of fundamental mode

guide wavelength and propagation constant for variations in the dimension of the broadwall of

rectangular waveguide. The second proposed approach involved the deformation of the narrow

walls of the rectangular guide. The properties of this second approach were investigated through

finite difference time domain simulations of the associated geometries. The simulation results

showed that similar guide wave properties (wavelength, propagation constant) could be achieved

by slightly deforming the narrow wall. To conclude this paper an example was presented which

demonstrated the beam steering capability of a large slot array in standard WR-650 waveguide.

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The important results of this investigation are as follows: (1) for maximum beam steering it is

necessary to operate in frequency near (at, even below) the lower end of the frequency band of

the guide; (2) the beam steering is not symmetrical as a function of ß (the translation or

deformation parameter); and (3) the second technique, while slightly less capable in terms of

beam steering capability, is preferred for mechanical and electrical reasons.

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REFERENCES

1. Time Harmonic Electromagnetic Fields, R. Harrington, pg. 199, McGraw-Hill, NY,

1961.

2. Antennas and Radiowave Propagation, R. E. Collin, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York,

1985, Chapter 4.

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