Numerical investigation on tightly-coupled dipole arrays for wideband applications.

Tightly coupled dipole array (TCDA) is an advanced antenna array configuration in which the radiating elements are disposed very closed each other within the array layout. A positive electromagnetic coupling among the elements is induced and exploited in order to enlarge the operating bandwidth of the whole system, thus providing a wideband behavior. Such an antenna array is promising for applications in numerous wideband wireless systems. In this work a numerical investigation on the tightly coupling phenomenon is carried out, starting from the design of a basic elementary cell in which two dipoles operating at 400 MHz are arranged in order to be tightly coupled. After that, several periodical structures (obtained from the repetition of the elementary cell) are designed and analysed. The arrangement and spacing of the dipoles within the array play a crucial role in obtaining the desired wideband performance. The detailed design procedures of the TCDA and simulated results are shown and discussed starting from the elementary cell towards an 8x8 TCDA array. Finally, a conclusion of the work and possible future investigations are given.