Analytic design of conformal slot arrays

A completely analytic design process has been developed for small slot arrays which accounts for the varying effect of mutual coupling as a function of element position. A previously developed theory for the design of small arrays has been extended to include conformal dielectric-filled waveguide slot arrays. Computer software has been assembled which enables calculation of the slot geometries required to implement a specified aperture distribution and input impedance condition. The slot self- and mutual admittances are calculated numerically, thus eliminating the traditional measured slot data from the design process. This design technique has been applied to conformalX-band slot arrays on cylinders of a few wavelengths diameter. The arrays consist of multiple dielectric-filled waveguides, each of which is a narrow-band standing-wave linear array of longitudinal shunt slots. The computerized design process adjusts the length and offset of each slot in the total array until the desired aperture distribution and impedance match are achieved. A flow diagram of the design program and test results from experimental arrays are presented.