K.S. Zaytsev1, O.V. Terekhin2, A.A. Vasin3

1–3 Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) (Moscow, Russia)

1 waz-raketa@yandex.ru

Phased array antennas (headlamps) are widely used due to the rapid electronic restructuring of the radiation pattern. However, classic flat headlamps are limited by the scanning sector, usually not exceeding ±60° from the normal to the surface, and have significantly worse characteristics at large beam deflection angles. All this leads to the fact that new ways are being sought to create ultra-wide-angle scanning antennas. From this point of view, the study of convex (conformal) headlamps is of particular interest. The purpose of the work is to analyze the principles of operation of convex headlamps with wide-angle scanning, to investigate various shapes of convex headlamps in terms of the possibility of providing the necessary directional characteristics, to consider approaches to the dynamic formation of the active region and to analyze various methods of placing headlight emitters on various convex surfaces.

Analytical expressions for estimating the directional coefficient of a convex headlight are presented, taking into account the directional pattern of a single element. A comparison of different types of convex headlamps by the criterion of the maximum directional coefficient has been performed. The condition for the formation of a dynamic active area of headlamps is formalized. The methods of emitter placement are analyzed: from arc and ring configurations to geodetic structures and projection placement methods. It is shown that the placement of headlight elements along the Fibonacci spiral is one of the most universal approaches for convex headlamps of arbitrary shape, which also allows for the expansion of the operating frequency band and minimizing the number of headlight emitters. The results obtained can be used in the design of wide-angle radar/AFAR radar systems, satellite terminals and on-board antenna systems of aircraft and other mobile objects.

Zaytsev K.S., Terekhin O.V., Vasin A.A. Synthesis of conformal phased array antennas for ultra-wide-angle scanning. Achievements of modern radioelectronics. 2025. V. 79. № 11. P. 81–100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700784-202511-09 [in Russian]

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