Analysis of the Characteristics of a Two-Dimensional Scanning Array of TEM Horns with Metalized Inter-Horn Space

A planar two-dimensional array of TEM horns with partial metallization of the inter-horn space and a metal screen is considered. For an infinite scanning array, an approximate numerico-analytical model based on the integral equation methods is developed. The integral equations are solved by the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The propagation constants and characteristic impedances of the principal modes of such an array are found. The problem of mode propagation along the array and their radiation into free space is solved within the transmission line theory. The numerical results obtained within the approximate theory are compared with the corresponding results of the finite element method (FEM). Using the FEM, a full-wave model of a finite array is developed. The numerical experiment has shown the feasibility of matching finite scanning arrays of TEM horns with a screen in a band with a lower-to-upper frequency ratio of 1 : 10.