Improving the Performance of Wide-Angle Scanning Array Antenna With a High-Impedance Periodic Structure

In this letter, the performance of wide-angle scanning phased array is analyzed. A high-impedance periodic structure (HIPS) is applied to improve radiation pattern of the antenna element in an array. The working mechanism of HIPS array is investigated. The structure could improve the surface-wave and the broad-beam radiation performance of the individual antenna element as well as the wide scan performance of the phased array. By the comparison to the metal ground plane, the gain of the array antenna is improved approximately 4.5 dB when the main beam scans at ±60°. A nine-element array antenna with a periodic structure is fabricated and measured. The measured results of the array coincide with the simulated results.