ISSN: 2278 – 909X

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering (IJARECE)

Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2019

Performance Analysis of Phased Array Antenna

Haylemaryam Gashaw, Ayele Shumetie, Yonatan Tekle, Dr. Swaminathan Ramamurthy

 in turn greatly increases a station's broadcast range. In these

Abstract-Arraying holds many tantalizing possibilities
such as better performance, increased operational
robustness, low implementation cost, more
programmatic flexibility and broader support to the
science community. Phased array antennas will have
more radiation pattern density, directivity, efficiency and
gain compared to a single element antenna. In this paper,
the performance analysis of a phased array antenna in
terms of parameters of antennas such as radiation power
density, radiation intensity, directivity, beam width,
antenna efficiency and gain using MATLAB. For
designing of array antenna the existence of grating lobes
and the mechanisms that can implement to reduce these
grating lobes are also main points of interest in the paper.
Finally, we increases the steering angle of phased array
antenna and this is important for detecting signals in all
directions of the antenna.
situations, the distance to each element from the transmitter is
identical, or is one (or other integer) wavelength apart.
Phasing the array such that the lower elements are slightly
delayed (by making the distance to them longer) causes a
downward beam tilt, which is very useful if the antenna is
quite high on a radio tower. Therefore, we mainly focus on
performance analysis of the phased array antenna and
increasing of steering angle with a simulation using
MATLAB.
II. MATERIALS REQUIRED AND METHODOLOGY
The characteristic performance evaluation implemented in
this work is mainly linear phased array antenna. System
model of linear phased array antenna performance analysis
improvements attained by using the proposed algorithm
system will explain using block diagram below.

Index Terms—Phased Array, Directivity, MATLAB

I. INTRODUCTION
For wireless communication systems, the antenna array is
one of the most critical components. A good design of the
antenna can relax system requirements and improve overall
system performance. A typical example is TV for which the
overall broadcast reception can improved by utilizing a
high-performance antenna. The phased array antenna can
used to achieve high directivity than single antenna. However,
the radiating pattern of the array antenna depends on the
configuration, the distance between the elements, the
amplitude and phase excitation of the elements, and the
radiation pattern of individual elements. Therefore, one of the Figure 1. Blocking diagram of materials required and methodology
ways to analysis is to study these control parameter effects on of phased array antenna.
the analysis of them [1]. For designing of array antenna the
existence of grating lobes and the mechanisms that can
implement to reduce these grating lobes are also main points
of interest in the paper. Phased array antennas are electrically
steerable, which means the physical antenna can be stationary.
To control signal in all directions without mechanical moving
of the antenna with maximizing gain / efficiency of each
antenna element, we need to maximize the steering angle of
the phased antenna array analysis the performance. This halts
the performance of the phased Array Antenna. More modest
phased array long wire antenna systems may be employed by
private radio enthusiasts to receive long wave, medium wave
(AM) and shortwave radio broadcasts from great distances.
On VHF, phased arrays are used extensively for FM Figure 2. Far-field geometry and phasor diagram of N-element array
of isotropic sources positioned along the z-axis [1].
broadcasting. These greatly increase the antenna gain,
magnifying the emitted RF energy toward the horizon, which
Therefore, in far field case we have,

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 ISSN: 2278 – 909X
International Journal of Advanced Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering (IJARECE)
Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2019
r1 =r……………………………………………………………(1-a) see the result of performance of linear phased array antenna
by maximizing the steering angle of linear phased array
r2 = r – dcos
antenna by changing the phase angle, distance between
………………………………………………………….(1-b) elements, and the number of elements of linear phased array
r3 = r – 2dcosθ……………………………………………….(1-c) antenna.

rN = r − ( − A. MATLAB Output with Phased Excitation Angle

The performance analysis by varying the phase angle with
1)dcosθ………………………………………..(1-d)
phase difference in 300 each with in the linear and polar form.
And excitation current amplitude is equal for all the The effect of varying the phase angle will affect the
elements of the array except their phases which is given as performance of the phase antenna array and this effect as
shown shown below. We take the theta values θ=0, π/6, π/3, π/2,
I1 = Io, I2 = Io ∅2, I3 = Io ∅3,……, = ∅ …………...…….
(2) 2π/3, 5π/6, and π to analyze it in terms of radiation intensity
In addition, for uniform linear array the phase shift for each transmitting capacity. The results are as shown below.
element is
∅1=0, ∅2=β, ∅3=2β,……, ∅ = ( −1)β……………………(3)
The array factor expressed as
……..(4)
Where, k=2 π/λ…constant
…………………………….……..(5
)
Finally, combining equations the array factor is given by:

………………………………………….(6)
The array factor of can also be expressed in an alternate, Figure 3. Simulation results at 00
compact and closed form whose functions and their
distributions are more recognizable. This is simplified as
follows.
After multiplying both sides of the previous equation by
the expression can written as

…..(7)
Then subtracting (6) from (7) we get

……………………………………….(8)
If the reference point is the physical center of the array, the
array factor reduces to Figure 4. Simulation results at π⁄6

……………………………..……….….(9)

The maximum value of this expression is equal to N. To

normalize the array factors, so that the maximum value of
each is equal to unity, it is written in normalized form as

……………………………….…(10)

III. SIMULATION RESULTS Figure 5. Simulation results at π⁄3

Mostly the performance analysis of any antennas
implements in simulation technique using MATLAB
software. This allows us to see the performance parameter of
the designed antenna element easily. In this paper, we try to

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering (IJARECE)
Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2019
Figure 6. Simulation results at π⁄2
Figure 7. Simulation results at 2π⁄3
Figure 8. Simulation results at 5π⁄6
Figure 9. Simulation result at π
B. MATLAB Output with Different Inter-element Spacing
We see the effect by varying the distance between the
elements in a linear form with constant number of elements
and λ value of theta = π/3 and the results are as shown below.
All Rights Reserved © 2019 IJARECE
ISSN: 2278 – 909X
Figure 10. Simulation result of comparison of different inter- element
spacing
C. MATLAB Output with Different Number of Elements
The performance analysis by varying the number of
elements in a linear form with uniform distance between
elements d=λ/4 and λ = 8 values at theta =λ/3.
Figure 11. Simulation result of comparison of different number of elements
for uniform linear array with d =λ/2
The element radiation pattern is chosen to be non-directional,
which is isotropic radiator. Then in this case, the array
radiation pattern will be totally determined by the array factor
AF. Therefore the radiation pattern of a uniform linear array
antenna which has 8 elements with inter-element spacing
d=λ/2 is similar to the plot given in fig, from (4 to 9) for the
array factor.
Figure. (3 to 11) shown in steering angle increases to cover
large areas without mechanical movement of the physical
part of a phased array antenna. This is done by changing
excitation angels of phased array antenna to detect signals
from all directions of the antenna.
Form (fig 10) we can understand that grating lobes exist if
d ≥λ disregarding the value of β taken.
The array factor plots sketched for different inter-element
spacing indicate that the beam width is inversely proportional
to the spacing between the elements of the same number of
elements. (Fig 11) array factor plot shows that beam-width is
greater in the first case when d =λ/4 compared to the beam
width when d= λ and so on. Generally
 When d ≤ 0.5λ, no grating lobes can exist for any
angle β but the beam-width is wide.
 When d≥ λ, grating lobes exist for all values of β &
narrower beam-width achieved.
 When 0.5 λ < d < λ, formation of grating lobes
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 ISSN: 2278 – 909X
International Journal of Advanced Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering (IJARECE)
Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2019
depends on β and beam-with is medium.
Authors Profile:
General conditions to avoid grating lobes with β:[0,2π] and
d:[0.5 λ ,λ ]:
 For 0 ≤ β < π , the requirement is: kd + β ≤ 2 π
 For π ≤ β < 2π , the requirement is: kd - β ≤ 0 Haylemaryam Gashaw: Masters
The array factor plots in (fig 11) show that the beam width candidate at Addis Ababa Science and
is not only dependent on inter-element spacing d but also on Technology University Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering,
the number of elements. It is quite evident from the shown BSc in the field of Electrical and
plots that the beam width decreases as the number of Computer Engineering from Wollo
elements in the array increases. Fig 11 Shows that beam University, Assistant Lecturer at Assosa
width is larger when N=2 compared to the beam width when University, Ethiopia.
N=10 and so on. In addition, this in another way means that
with higher number of elements we can achieve a more
Ayele Shumetie: Masters candidate at
directive radiation. Addis Ababa Science and Technology
University Department of Electrical and
IV. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK Computer Engineering, BSc in the field of
From the study of performance of phased array antenna, Electrical and Computer Engineering from
Debre Berhan University, Assistant
the steering angle of phased array antenna increases to Lecturer at Debre Berhan University,
detect signals in all directions of the antenna. The Ethiopia.
simulation shows how to detect signals in all directions by
changing the excitation angle of phased array antenna to
control the area around antenna that specified for specific Yonatan Tekle: Masters candidate at
application. This is important in radar system to detect Addis Ababa Science and Technology
University Department of Electrical and
signal radiation in any direction. The beam width is Computer Engineering, BSc in the field of
inversely proportional to the spacing between the elements Electrical and Computer Engineering
of the same number of elements, beam-width is greater in from Hawassa University, Assistant
the first case when d = λ /4 compared to the beam width Lecturer, Hawassa University, Ethiopia.
when d= λ and so on d ≥ λ, grating lobes exist for all values
of β & narrower beam-width is achieved. So to increases
beam width without increasing of the grating lobes
Dr. Swaminathan Ramamurthy:
distance between elements must be 0.5 λ < d < λ and phase Assistance Professor, Department of
differences between element must be 0 ≤ β < π or π ≤ β < Electrical and Computer Engineering,
2π. However, beam width does not only depend on Addis Ababa Science & Technology
distance between elements also, it depends on the number University, Ethiopia.
of elements so beam width decreases as the number of
elements in the array increases. That means with higher
number of elements we can achieve a more directive
radiation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to pay our sincere gratitude to all our
friends, whom directly or indirectly, have lent their
helping hand in this project.
REFERENCES

[1] Balanis, C. A. (2005). Antenna Theory Analysis and Design.

JOHN WILEY & SONS.
[2] J. P. McKay and Y. Rahmat-Samii. (1992). Multi-Ring Planar
Array Feeds for Reducing Diffraction Effects in the Compact
Range.

[3] Visser, H. J. (2005). Array and Phased Array Antenna Basics.

Netherlands: John Wiley & Sons.

[4] J. Brown and E. V. Jull. (November 1961). The Prediction of

Aerial Patterns from Near-Field Measurements. London: IEE.
[5] Yaghjian, A. D. (January 1986). An Overview of Near-Field
Antenna Measurements. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., Vol.
AP-34, pp. 30–45.

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