Time-Domain Array-Scanning-Method for Efficient Modeling of Large and High Power Phased Array

Modeling of infinite/large arrays of antennas is a challenging task because the combination of these antennas’ size, frequencies, and power of operation requires the use of modeling approximations beyond that available with current tools and methods, especially to understand the element-to-element coupling. Since each unit element can be complex structures on multilayer substrates, the methods also need to handle these scenarios. A full-wave time-domain simulation platform is proposed for efficient numerical electromagnetic models of large phased arrays. The algorithm is based on a full-wave array-scanning-method (ASM) periodic finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for efficient modeling of complex and large structures. Using the ASM technique, the modeling of infinite/large phased array can be performed via a single unit element modeling. The FDTD nature of the algorithms allows users to model complex structures (such as horn, slotted waveguide, and patch elements) and potential non-linear effects without algorithm modification or with minimum algorithm modification. Only a single PC is required to model arbitrary complex unit element and potential nonlinear effects due to higher power source at a wide frequency band.