Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 May 2012
This paper considers and compares the numerical characterization of regular planar antenna arrays from two viewpoints. In the case where the array is sufficiently large, the well-known infinite array idealization applies and a very efficient simulation method is presented which combines array theory with a specialized form of the finite-element method called the transfinite element method (TFEM). Alternatively, a more direct approach is discussed in which the entire antenna array is simulated as a finite structure using recent advances in the domain decomposition method (DDM). Taken together, the two methods provide a comprehensive simulation method for regular arrays from small order to very large order.