Optimum design of feed structures for high G/T passive and activeantenna arrays

In this work, noise analysis of parallel feed structures is presented. Signal and noise behavior of the feed structures are signified by the newly introduced concepts of “coherent” and “incoherent” impedance match of power-combining structures. It is also shown that a feed structure can be redesigned for low-noise operation without affecting the radiation characteristics. Optimum design of parallel feed structures for low-noise operation is explained. Also an optimum use of active elements in such structures is investigated to have a low overall noise temperature of the antenna array with minimum number of active elements. In the analysis, a new method is introduced where a “noise-equivalent line length” (NELL) is defined. This definition, which unifies the contribution of noise from different array elements, is used in the design of a parallel feed structure and as an active circuit replacement criteria in passive arrays     

An affordable millimeter-wave beam-steerable antenna using interleaved planar subarrays

Design and fabrication aspects of an affordable planar beam steerable antenna array with a simple architecture are considered in this paper. Grouping the elements of a phased array into a number of partially overlapped subarrays and using a single phase shifter for each subarray, generally results in a considerable reduction in array size and manufacturing costs. However, overlapped subarrays require complicated corporate feed networks and array architectures that cannot be easily implemented using planar technologies. In this paper a novel feed network and array architecture for implementing a planar phased array of microstrip antennas is presented that enables the fabrication of low-sidelobe, compact, beam-steerable millimeter-wave arrays and facilitates integration of the RF front-end electronics with the antenna structure. This design uses a combination of series and parallel feeding schemes to achieve the desired array coefficients. The proposed approach is used to design a three-state switched-beam phased array with a scanning width of /spl plusmn/10/spl deg/. This phased array which is composed of 80 microstrip elements, achieves a gain of >20 dB, a sidelobe level of <-19 dB and a 10-dB bandwidth of >6.3% for all states of the beam. The antenna efficiency is measured at 33-36% in X band. It is shown that the proposed feeding scheme is insensitive to the mutual coupling among the elements.     

A dense overlapped linear subarray architecture for interference suppressing in small‐scale arrays

Compared to omnidirectional antennas, smart antenna arrays are qualified such advantages as lower interference and better spatial reuse. As developed from large‐scale phased array radar, subarray technology is a key approach to reduce the computational complexity, and a quantity of algorithms for subarray partition and low sidelobe has been studied and applied in radar system. With the development of hardware manufacture, portability and mobility are the trend of devices, which limit the array aperture and number of elements, and the performances are constrained by elements number. This paper proposes a dense overlapped subarray architecture for linear array when elements number is small, to improve the array gain and output signal to interference plus noise ratio, and different weighting mode is employed at element and subarray level for adaptive digital beamforming to obtain special performances. The subarray partition is presented for the linear array, which keeps the spacing at subarray level half wavelength to avoid grating lobes and nulls, and the simulation results demonstrate that the subarray architecture induces better output signal to interference plus noise ratio; meanwhile, the computational amount is reduced. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

5G毫米波有源阵列封装天线技术研究

提出了一种5G毫米波有源阵列封装天线.该阵列由8×16个微带天线单元组成,通过耦合式差分馈电,天线实现了宽带匹配和方向图高度对称特性.通过对天线与芯片进行合理布局,减小了芯片射频端口到天线子阵的馈电线损,提高了有源阵列天线的整体效率.测试结果表明,该阵列天线在工作频段为24.25～27.5 GHz的等效全向辐射功率(E...     

Design of an Efficient X-Band Waveguide-Fed Microstrip Patch Array

The design and fabrication of a 10.5 GHz microstrip patch array fed by a waveguide is presented. The gain of this antenna is 29 dB and its efficiency is 65%. Commonly, the efficiency of conventional microstrip arrays at X-band is not more than 50%. This antenna demonstrates the ability to accomplish a very high efficiency at X-band in a simple structure. This is achieved by using a slotted waveguide to feed the planar array. To allow symmetrical feed of this antenna, the waveguide is a center-fed slotted waveguide, the two ends of which are shorted. The design procedure is expatiated, which contains the study and design of the waveguide-fed subarray structure and of the coax-to- waveguide transition structure. For designing this entire antenna, a three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulation software CST Microwave Studio is applied. Good agreement is achieved between measurement and simulation results.     

一种新的子阵结构及其自适应性能分析

在阵列信号处理中，大型阵由于系统结构复杂，成本较高，在实际应用中受到限制，而采用子阵结构则可以减少接收通道数，简化系统设计，降低成本。本文针对等幅均匀线阵提出了一种新的结构简单的子阵，并且通过打乱子阵排列的周期性以及保证各子阵输出噪声功率相等，该子阵的栅瓣效应几乎可以忽略且其自适应方向图保形良好。     

A subarray-synthesis based 2D DOA estimation method

In some satellite communications, we need to perform Direction Of Arrival （DOA） angle estimation under the restriction that the number of receivers is less than that of the array elements in an array antenna. To solve the conundrum, a method named subarray-synthesis-based Two-Dimensional DOA （2D DOA） angle estimation is proposed. In the method, firstly, the array antenna is divided into a series of subarray antennas based on the total number of receivers; secondly, the subarray antennas＇ output covariance matrices are estimated; thirdly, an equivalent covariance matrix is synthesized based on the subarray output covariance matrices; then 2D DOA estimation is performed. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the estimation method is effective.     

平面阵子阵级自适应波束形成方法研究

利用遗传算法(GA)将大型阵列划分为非均匀邻接子阵,以主旁瓣比作为适应度函数,并对遗传操作增加约束条件,得到具有栅瓣抑制能力的子阵结构。为进一步抑制平面阵俯仰和方位上的高旁瓣,对平面阵进行两级子阵划分,使平面阵方向图在俯仰和方位上均具有良好的主旁瓣电平比;为消除非均匀子阵结构各子阵通道噪声功率不同对子阵级自适应波束形成算法的影响,通过对阵列协方差矩阵进行奇异值分解、重构特征子空间,提出了基于特征空间重构的子阵级自适应波束形成方法。仿真结果表明了该方法的可行性与有效性。     

毫米波MIMO发射机中的低复杂度动态子阵列组合方法

对于采用部分连接架构的毫米波MIMO系统,为了提升频谱效率,根据信道条件动态调整各子阵列的天线组成。然而,对天线进行最佳分组需要按照一定准则对所有可能的天线组合进行穷举搜索,将导致复杂度难以接受。针对这一问题,提出了一种低复杂度的子阵列动态分配方法,核心是在对阵元进行分组时,引入一定的规则,从而显著降低组合个数,减少搜索范围。具体而言,给出了两种低复杂度的天线组合算法。首先,考虑到毫米波天线间具有较强的相关性,将相邻多个天线虚拟为一个阵元,从而降低搜索空间。其次,通过将所有天线分为上下半区,实现基于分区的天线组合,实现了搜索空间的降低。仿真结果表明,所提的方法能够在性能和复杂度之间获得较好的折中。     

Optical technique for broadbanding phased arrays

An optical method for broadbanding a phased array is considered. A narrow band feed-through aperture lens comprised of pick-up elements, radiating elements, and360degtype phase shifters is fed by a small feed array with an intervening passive lens. The lens has fixed frequency-sensitive properties. The feed array has variable time delay compensators which are selected in accordance with the desired scan angle in the far field. Using geometrical optics, design formulas are derived that relate bandwidth and scan angle to the minimum number of variable time delayers. To demonstrate performance, diffraction theory is used to calculate patterns, sidelobe levels, and efficiencies as a function of bandwidth and scan angle out to50degscan for several aperture sizes. In the worst cases, the optical system provides somewhat less gain than the comparable constrained subarray antenna; however, it always provides much better sidelobe levels.     

大型阵列天线子阵划分及栅瓣抑制方法

利用遗传算法(genetic algorithm, GA)将大型阵列划分为非均匀邻接子阵,以主旁瓣比作为适应度函数,并对遗传操作增加约束条件,得到具有栅瓣抑制能力的子阵结构。提出了基于子阵级的波束扫描方法,在每个扫描分区内无需改变阵元权值,仅通过子阵级数字波束形成即可完成阵列的波束扫描,并分析了不同扫描角对阵列方向图的影响。为了抑制大扫描角带来的高旁瓣,运用自适应原理使子阵级方向图在高旁瓣位置形成凹陷。分析与仿真结果表明,该方法能够进一步提高阵列方向图的主旁瓣比,增加扫描分区的范围。      

Smart antennas based on spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) for mutual coupling reduction

A new method for reducing mutual coupling in a smart antenna array using patch antenna elements is proposed. In a recently introduced smart antenna architecture, the spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) scheme, the newly proposed array feed network affects mutual coupling. It is demonstrated that proper design of the feed network may reduce mutual coupling significantly, yielding nearly ideal radiation characteristics. Numerical solutions are used to study and optimize the currents on the surface of a four-element C-band patch antenna array and feed network. Radiation patterns of the same array with different feed networks are also computed. Results show a reduction in sidelobe level of several decibels, increased accuracy in beam pointing during scan, and improved depth and placement.     

Low-cost, high-efficiency quasi-planar array of waveguide-fed circularly polarized microstrip antennas

A low-cost quasiplanar Ku-band array of circularly polarized microstrip antennas benefiting from a low-loss waveguide feed network is demonstrated (patent pending). The 32 elements of the array which are arranged in a 2-by-16 configuration are subdivided into four two-by-four subarrays. To maintain feed losses and thus the overall noise temperature at a minimum, the subarrays are excited using a one-by-four corporate feed network of hollow metallic waveguides. This network is composed of E-plane components such as Tee-junctions and bends and is manufactured out of only two metallic pieces that accommodate the feed network in the form of milled grooves. Because of insensitivity of the exploited E-plane components to air gaps or slight misalignments, the pieces are secured together with only four screws without welding, braising, or conducting adhesives. Owing to a low-loss foam substrate, the array elements show high circular polarization gain of 9 dBic and wide relative bandwidth of 4%. To achieve circular polarization, use is made of circular patches with two nearly perpendicular perturbations. Using sequential rotation of the elements along with quadrature phase shifting, the axial ratio of the array is reduced to 1 dB over 4% of bandwidth. The measured circular polarization gain of the array amounts to 23 dBic with an aperture efficiency of 63% in the Ku-band of frequencies. The achieved efficiency, which is higher than the reported efficiency for comparable planar arrays with microstrip feed networks, can be credited to the low losses of only 0.2 dB in its waveguide corporate feed. The paper also presents measurement results for an arrangement of two inclined single arrays mounted in parallel. This configuration which has a measured circular polarization gain of 25.7 dBic with an axial ratio of 1 dB is desirable for mobile low-profile antenna systems.     

有源相控阵天线瞬时宽带性能改善研究

采用无色散特性的模拟或数字移相器会导致天线波束指向随频率发生变化,即相控阵天线的孔径效应。工程上一般在子阵级别上采用色散特性的实时延迟线拓展相控阵天线瞬时带宽,但是子阵级延时量化误差会产生周期性栅瓣,导致天线副瓣性能恶化。文中提出在通道(或多通道收发组件)上设置小位延迟线、与子阵级大位延时线叠加使用,消除或改善子阵级延时误差造成的性能恶化。结合X波段有源二维阵列天线,对单元级、子阵级、子阵+单元两级三种情况进行了仿真。仿真结果表明,子阵+单元两级延时方法在扩展相控阵天线瞬时带宽的同时,能明显改善相控阵天线的副瓣特性,且具有较强的工程可实现性。     

Ka波段圆极化平板阵列天线设计

本文设计了一种规模为 8×8 的 Ka 波段圆极化平板阵列天线。2×2 子阵为一个圆极化基本单元,子阵馈电方波导腔体中插入极化膜片形成圆极化特性,使用全并馈 E 面波导功分网络对 16 个子阵实现等幅同相馈电。设计的阵列天线实现了良好的圆极化特性与高增益特性。     

一种低旁瓣子阵级自适应波束形成方法

相控阵雷达在军事上的应用日渐广泛,要满足雷达系统性能日益增长的需求,必须采用大孔径天线,以便得到更高的角度和距离分辨率。大型面阵的全自适应波束形成计算量庞大,采用子阵级自适应波束形成可以用较小的代价实现较优的自适应性能。研究了等幅平面阵的子阵级波束形成技术,并针对非均匀划分的子阵结构,采用了子阵级通道噪声功率的归一化处理。该方法不仅能够有效降低子阵级方向图的旁瓣电平,其自适应性能保持良好。仿真验证了该方法的有效性。     

Analysis of multilayer infinite periodic array structures withdifferent periodicities and axes orientations

This paper presents a general procedure to analyze a multilayer array structure, where each layer may have different periodicities, different lattice structures, and/or the array axes between the layers may be nonparallel. The procedure involves the determination of a global cell with a global coordinate system, then computations of local generalized scattering matrices (GSMs) of individual layers followed by modal mapping from local to global GSMs. The global GSMs for individual layers are then combined to characterize the entire structure. The mapping relations are derived for two layers with different lattice structures, different periodicities, and array-axes orientations. Three examples of practical importance are considered to demonstrate the methodology. The first example is a two-layered patch array with different periodicities. The second example is an array of subarrays with several patch elements within a subarray. It is shown that a subarray can be characterized rigorously by characterizing only one element of a subarray instead of analyzing all the elements of the subarray simultaneously. Consequently, the analytical and computational complexities reduce considerably. The last example is a patch array loaded with a multilayer meander-line polarizer. The patch array and the meander-line array have two different periodicities and the axes are nonparallel. Detailed radiation characteristics of the structure are presented and compared with that of a strip-grid polarizer. The computational advantages of this method are discussed     

FD-TD analysis of Vivaldi flared horn antennas and arrays

This paper summarizes a detailed computational study of Vivaldi flared horn antenna designs including single element, double element crossed-pair subarray elements, and linear arrays using the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method. FD-TD, which numerically solves Maxwell's time dependent curl equations, accounts for the complex geometrical and electrical characteristics associated with this antenna design and array implementation. Validations have been made relative to a moment method (MM) model of an electrically large linearly tapered slot antenna. Also, good correlation is shown to exist in the primary features of the antenna patterns between computed and measured data for all cases. This work has achieved a number firsts for the FD-TD methodology. It represents the first “exact” computational model of a single quad Vivaldi slot antenna; the first “exact” computational model of a phased array of Vivaldi quad elements; and the first FD-TD model to demonstrate grating lobes for a phased array antenna of any sort. Lastly, this research represents an extensive study of the largest grid-based antenna models conducted to date     

Reduced-rank adaptive detection of distributed sources using subarrays

We introduce a framework for exploring array detection problems in a reduced-dimensional space. This involves calculating a structured subarray transformation matrix for the detection of a distributed signal using large aperture linear arrays. We study the performance of the adaptive subarray detector and evaluate its potential improvement in detection performance compared with the full array detector with finite data samples. One would expect that processing on subarrays may result in performance loss in that smaller number of degrees of freedom is utilized. However, it also leads to a better estimation accuracy for the interference and noise covariance matrix with finite data samples, which will yield some gain in performance. By studying the subarray detector for general linear arrays, we identify this gain under various scenarios. We show that when the number of samples is small, the subarray detectors have a significant gain over the full array detector. In addition, the subarray processing can also be successfully applied to the problem of detecting moving sources in an underwater acoustic scenario. We validate our results by computer simulations.     

多联骨牌子阵天线阵列的波瓣性能研究

在相控阵天线阵面设计中,为降低系统复杂性及工程成本,通常采用子阵技术来实现。同时,为了较好地抑制栅瓣,文中引入了多联骨牌子阵,给出了两种采用不同子阵结构和排列方式的天线阵列,并对有限视场下的扫描特性进行了仿真。通过对仿真结果进行对比和分析研究,验证了多联骨牌子阵实现阵列方向图低副瓣的有效性。最后,提出了采用多联骨牌子阵进行天线阵列设计需要进一步研究的方向。