The Required Number of Elements for a Ring Antenna Array

The properties of a ring antenna array are investigated theoretically by modeling. The goal of this research is to determine to what extent it is possible to reduce the number of elements of the ring antenna array. This problem is relevant for practical applications. Reduction of the number of elements of the antenna array simplifies the technology of its manufacturing. By means of modeling, it has been shown that reduction of elements with preservation of the ring array diameter does not change its resolving power, however leads to occurrence of undesired artefacts in the shape of rings in the reconstructed image. In addition, it has been shown that a segment of the ring array can be used instead of the entire ring antenna array. For example, a ring can be replaced by a semiring; at that, if its diameter is the same, then the resolving power will change insignificantly.