Influence of Array Geometrical Configuration on Beamforming in Phased Antenna Arrays and the Phase Shifter Development

This paper presents a numerical analysis of radiation pattern and beamforming of various phased antenna arrays configurations with 16 elements having possible use in low cost Radio Frequency Identification and Wireless Sensor Networks applications for process monitoring and location. The beam forming and beam steering of the main antenna lobes are obtained via a linear phase taper of the signal fed to the array elements. The practical implementation of the phase shifter is based on a vector modulator and features the full range of linear phase shifts. The experimental testing of the developed phase shifter proved excellent phase shift accuracy and stability in the frequency region of interest.