ABSTRACT
The electromagnetic analysis of radiation and scattering characteristics of a phased antenna array mounted over a non-planar surface is a complicated process. The concept of pattern multiplication cannot be used because the surface normal at each antenna element varies with the curvature of the platform. Further scattering in the phased array depends on the feed network, design parameters, and the platform. In this article, the radar cross-section of a parallel-fed dipole array placed over a conducting cylinder is determined analytically. The Euler rotation method is employed to extract the angular position of antenna elements over the cylindrical surface. The array radar cross-section is calculated by coherent summation of the scattered field contributions due to impedance mismatches faced by the impinging signal. The signal path is traced as it travels through the array system passing through dipole antenna elements, phase shifters, and couplers before reaching the receiving port. The dependence of the radar cross-section pattern on the design parameters, viz., antenna elements, geometric configuration, mutual coupling, curvature of the platform, scan angle, and terminating impedance, is analyzed.