A Linear Active Rampart Antenna Array With Two‐Dimensional Beam‐Scanning Capability for FMCW Radar Applications

A novel linear active rampart array that is able to steer in the azimuth plane through frequency sweeping and in the elevation plane through phase shifting has been developed. The presented system uses eight active elements and two parasitic ones to ensure consistent radiation patterns. It achieves an impedance bandwidth of 15% centered around 8.625 GHz and has a field of view of 140° in both scanning planes. The ultrawide scan range through frequency sweeping is achieved by feeding each antenna element from two different ports. By feeding the rampart antenna from one port, the radiation pattern can be steered in the subspace from −70° to 0°, and when feeding from the other port, the radiation pattern can be steered in the subspace from 0° to +70°. An improved mathematical model was used to predict the influence of the design parameters of a rampart antenna on its radiation properties. The results obtained by the mathematical model were compared with full‐wave solutions, and a software tool was crafted with the aim to streamline the design process of rampart antennas.