Array antenna with increased element separation based on a Fabry-Pérot resonant cavity with AMC walls

A new method is presented for increasing the separation between the radiating elements of a 1-D array antenna by incorporating it into a Fabry-Pérot type resonant cavity with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) walls. The AMC walls create a more uniform distribution of field within the cavity and, moreover, eliminate diffracted fields. The concept is demonstrated via 3-D full-wave simulations as well as experimental measurements for a prototype antenna. Comparison between an antenna with AMC walls and an identical reference antenna, without walls, shows a reduction in the sidelobe level. An array element separation of 2Λ is achieved whilst maintaining good radiation performance. The performance of the proposed structure is also compared to that of an antenna incorporating PEC walls. Finally, the effect of the sidewall and central AMC walls are considered separately in order to isolate their corresponding effect on the antenna performance.