Constantine A. Balanis

Bio: Constantine A. Balanis is an academic researcher from Arizona State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Antenna (radio) & Radiation pattern. The author has an hindex of 44, co-authored 402 publications receiving 30247 citations. Previous affiliations of Constantine A. Balanis include Arizona's Public Universities & Langley Research Center.

Checkerboard EBG Surfaces for Wideband Radar Cross Section Reduction

Abstract: Electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structures have noteworthy electromagnetic characteristics that include their reflection phase variations with frequency. This paper applies this unique reflection phase property to alter the direction of the fields scattered by a radar target to reduce its radar cross section (RCS). This redirecting of the scattered fields occurs when a surface is covered with a checkerboard of alternating EBG structures, and results in a wider frequency band RCS reduction. RCS reduction compared to a PEC surface of 10 dB can be realized over 60% frequency bandwidth. Simulations of monostatic and bistatic RCSs of two dual EBG checkerboard surfaces, square and hexagonal, are compared with those of equal-sized PEC ground planes. The simulated monostatic RCS is also compared with measurements. Both $\bf{TE}^{\bf{z}}$ and $\bf{TM}^{\bf{z}}$ polarizations for oblique incidence are considered. Excellent agreement is obtained between simulated and measured patterns, for both the square and the hexagonal EBG checkerboard surfaces. An approximate analytical expression is provided as a guideline for a 10-dB RCS reduction of a dual EBG checkerboard surface compared to that of a PEC.

Introduction to Smart Antennas

Abstract: As the growing demand for mobile communications is constantly increasing, the need for better coverage, improved capacity, and higher transmission quality rises. Thus, a more efficient use of the radio spectrum is required. Smart antenna systems are capable of efficiently utilizing the radio spectrum and is a promise for an effective solution to the present wireless systems problems while achieving reliable and robust high-speed high-data-rate transmission. The purpose of this book is to provide the reader a broad view of the system aspects of smart antennas. In fact, smart antenna systems comprise several critical areas such as individual antenna array design, signal processing algorithms, space-time processing, wireless channel modeling and coding, and network performance. In this book we include an overview of smart antenna concepts, introduce some of the areas that impact smart antennas, and examine the influence of interaction and integration of these areas to Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks. In addition, the general principles and major benefits of using space-time processing are introduced, especially employing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques.

Antenna theory: a review

Abstract: In this review the author traces the history of antennas and some of the most basic radiating elements, demonstrates the fundamental principles of antenna radiation, reviews Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic boundary conditions, and outlines basic procedures and equations of radiation. Modeling of antenna source excitation is illustrated, and antenna parameters and figures-of-merit are reviewed. Theorems, arraying principles, and advanced asymptotic methods for antenna analysis and design are summarized. >

Smart-antenna systems for mobile communication networks. Part 1. Overview and antenna design

Abstract: This paper focuses on the interaction and integration of several critical components of a mobile communication network using smart-antenna systems. This wireless network is composed of communicating nodes that are mobile, and its topology is continuously changing. One of the central motivations for this work comes from the observed dependence of the overall network throughput on the design of the adaptive antenna system and its underlying signal processing algorithms. Part 1 of this two-part paper gives a brief overview of smart-antenna systems, including the different types of smart-antenna systems, and the reason for their having gained popularity. Moreover, details of typical antenna array designs suitable for the wireless communication devices are included in this part.

Smart antennas for wireless communications

Abstract: Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in improving system capacity and increasing coverage area in wireless communications using smart antennas. Smart antenna technology is being considered for mobile platforms such as automobiles, cellular telephones (mobile unit), and laptops. This paper presents the design of a smart antenna along with the associated signal processing algorithms for use in the next generation 20 GHz wireless communications systems. The results presented here are part of a broader project that considers this antenna system in the context of reconfigurable broadband (high-speed) networks. This paper concentrates only on the antenna design and on the development of efficient adaptive algorithms for beamforming and direction-of-arrival (DOA). The objective is to design an adaptive antenna that directs the maximum radiation of the antenna pattern toward the signal-of-interest (SOI), and places nulls toward the signal-not-of-interest (SNOI). The proposed antenna design and associated beamforming algorithms take into account mutual coupling for greater accuracy.

Scaling Up MIMO: Opportunities and Challenges with Very Large Arrays

Abstract: Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is maturing and is being incorporated into emerging wireless broadband standards like long-term evolution (LTE) [1]. For example, the LTE standard allows for up to eight antenna ports at the base station. Basically, the more antennas the transmitter/receiver is equipped with, and the more degrees of freedom that the propagation channel can provide, the better the performance in terms of data rate or link reliability. More precisely, on a quasi static channel where a code word spans across only one time and frequency coherence interval, the reliability of a point-to-point MIMO link scales according to Prob(link outage) ` SNR-ntnr where nt and nr are the numbers of transmit and receive antennas, respectively, and signal-to-noise ratio is denoted by SNR. On a channel that varies rapidly as a function of time and frequency, and where circumstances permit coding across many channel coherence intervals, the achievable rate scales as min(nt, nr) log(1 + SNR). The gains in multiuser systems are even more impressive, because such systems offer the possibility to transmit simultaneously to several users and the flexibility to select what users to schedule for reception at any given point in time [2].

High-impedance electromagnetic surfaces with a forbidden frequency band

Abstract: A new type of metallic electromagnetic structure has been developed that is characterized by having high surface impedance. Although it is made of continuous metal, and conducts dc currents, it does not conduct ac currents within a forbidden frequency band. Unlike normal conductors, this new surface does not support propagating surface waves, and its image currents are not phase reversed. The geometry is analogous to a corrugated metal surface in which the corrugations have been folded up into lumped-circuit elements, and distributed in a two-dimensional lattice. The surface can be described using solid-state band theory concepts, even though the periodicity is much less than the free-space wavelength. This unique material is applicable to a variety of electromagnetic problems, including new kinds of low-profile antennas.

Scaling up MIMO: Opportunities and Challenges with Very Large Arrays

Abstract: This paper surveys recent advances in the area of very large MIMO systems. With very large MIMO, we think of systems that use antenna arrays with an order of magnitude more elements than in systems being built today, say a hundred antennas or more. Very large MIMO entails an unprecedented number of antennas simultaneously serving a much smaller number of terminals. The disparity in number emerges as a desirable operating condition and a practical one as well. The number of terminals that can be simultaneously served is limited, not by the number of antennas, but rather by our inability to acquire channel-state information for an unlimited number of terminals. Larger numbers of terminals can always be accommodated by combining very large MIMO technology with conventional time- and frequency-division multiplexing via OFDM. Very large MIMO arrays is a new research field both in communication theory, propagation, and electronics and represents a paradigm shift in the way of thinking both with regards to theory, systems and implementation. The ultimate vision of very large MIMO systems is that the antenna array would consist of small active antenna units, plugged into an (optical) fieldbus.

An introduction to millimeter-wave mobile broadband systems

Abstract: Almost all mobile communication systems today use spectrum in the range of 300 MHz-3 GHz. In this article, we reason why the wireless community should start looking at the 3-300 GHz spectrum for mobile broadband applications. We discuss propagation and device technology challenges associated with this band as well as its unique advantages for mobile communication. We introduce a millimeter-wave mobile broadband (MMB) system as a candidate next generation mobile communication system. We demonstrate the feasibility for MMB to achieve gigabit-per-second data rates at a distance up to 1 km in an urban mobile environment. A few key concepts in MMB network architecture such as the MMB base station grid, MMB interBS backhaul link, and a hybrid MMB + 4G system are described. We also discuss beamforming techniques and the frame structure of the MMB air interface.