Showing papers on "Antenna array published in 1986"

A technique for an array to generate circular polarization with linearly polarized elements

Abstract: A method is presented for generating circularly polarized radiation from an array composed of linearly polarized elements having unique angular and phase arrangements. With this technique the complexity, weight, and RF loss of the array feed can be significantly reduced, especially in a large array. This uniquely formed array has the capability of generating excellent circular polarization (CP) over a relatively wide frequency bandwidth. In addition, the array is capable of scanning its main beam in the principal planes to relatively wide angles from its broadside direction without serious degradation to its CP quality. Another feature of this uniquely arranged array is a reduction in the occurrence of mutual coupling. The discussion in this paper places special emphasis on the microstrip type of radiator, although the technique presented can be adapted to most types of linearly polarized antenna elements.

Methods for null control and their effects on the radiation pattern

Abstract: Several methods for synthesis of array antenna patterns with prescribed nulls are reviewed. Methods based on full amplitude/phase control at each array element and methods with a restricted number of degrees of freedom are compared, with attention focused on the characteristic features of the resultant patterns. These features are largely independent of any algorithm for achieving the nulls, and therefore they also provide a perspective on the performance of adaptive antenna systems, which employ these various control architectures.

Adaptive beamforming with the generalized sidelobe canceller in the presence of array imperfections

Abstract: Antenna designers often employ linearly constrained adaptive beamforming as an antijamming measure. With minimal a priori knowledge of the signal environment, this technique nulls out jammers while simultaneously preserving the quality of the main lobe so that a friendly look-direction signal can be received with unity gain. Unfortunately, in the absence of special strategies, linearly constrained adaptive beamforming is hypersensitive to array imperfections when the input signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a certain threshold. This hypersensitivity manifests itself as a nailing of the friendly signal as if it were a jammer. Luckily, the signal nulling problem can be easily remedied by artificial receiver noise injection. A particularly simple and general structure for linearly constrained adaptive beamforming was proposed during the 1970's, and is known as the generalized sidelobe canceller. A detailed analysis of the generalized sidelobe canceller in the presence of array imperfections is discussed, and two new artificial receiver noise injection algorithms are proposed. Computer simulations are included to demonstrate that use of these new algorithms alleviates the signal nailing problem without seriously compromising jammer nulling. For the special case of the Capon maximum-likelihood beamformer, simple approximations are presented for: 1) the Wiener output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio ( SINR_{0}\astr ), 2) the antenna element error variance that causes a 3 dB loss of SINR_{0}\astr from its value for an ideal array, and 3) the optimal artificial receiver noise that maximizes SINR_{0}\astr .

Using spectral estimation techniques in adaptive processing antenna systems

Abstract: Improved spectral estimation techniques hold promise for becoming a valuable asset in adaptive processing array antenna systems. Their value lies in the considerable amount of additional useful information which they can provide about the interference environment, utilizing a relatively small number of degrees of freedom (DOF). The "superresolution" capabilities, estimation of coherence, and relative power level determination serve to complement and refine the data from faster conventional estimation techniques. Two conceptual application area examples for using such techniques are discussed; partially adaptive low-sidelobe arrays, and fully adaptive tracking arrays. For the partially adaptive area the information is utilized for efficient assignment of a limited number of DOF in a beamspace constrained adaptive system in order to obtain a stable main beam, retention of low sidelobes, considerably faster response, and reduction in overall cost. These benefits are demonstrated via simulation examples computed for a 16-element linear array. For the fully adaptive tracking array area the information is utilized in an all-digital processing system concept to permit stable hulling of coherent interference sources in the main beam region, efficient assignment/control of the available DOF, and greater flexibility in time-domain adaptive filtering strategy.

The fractal random array

Abstract: A novel method of random array synthesis is presented. This new method relies on the application of the underlying self-similarity inherent in random fractals to the problem of antenna array theory. Several examples demonstrate the synthesis procedure and its usefulness in producing robust, low sidelobe arrays.

Finite phased arrays of rectangular microstrip patches

Abstract: Finite phased arrays of rectangular microstrip patch antennas are analyzed. Reflection coefficient magnitudes, element patterns and efficiency (based on power lost to surface waves) are calculated for various sized arrays on substrates of practical interest and are compared with previous infinite array solutions. Measured element patterns and mutual coupling data for a small array are presented and compared with calculations.

Multiple source DF signal processing: An experimental system

Abstract: The multiple signal characterization (MUSIC) algorithm is an implementation of the signal subspace approach to compute parameter estimates of multiple point-source signals from the observed voltages received on an array of M antennas. In it, the solution to the multiple source direction finding (DF) problem is provided by the intersection of the signal subspace (obtained from the received data) and the array manifold (obtained via array calibration or prior knowledge of array directional characteristics). The MUSIC algorithm was implemented to experimentally verify the performance of the signal subspace approach to DF under very general scenarios and conditions which are regarded as difficult to impossible in traditional systems. The results of those experiments are described herein. The experimental system consisted of an eight-element antenna array 13 wavelengths in diameter, an eight-channel receiver and digitizer, and a minicomputer with disk storage to process the digitized data. With ideal instrumentation, the MUSIC algorithm provides performance that, as the amount of data collected increases without limit, is asymptotically ideal. However, with finite precision and finite data collection, the performance of even an ideal system can be a sensitive function of source and scenario parameters. Tests demonstrated the resolution of three sources all within one beamwidth (5 \deg ), even when the closer two were spaced less than 0.2 beamwidths. Sources that were polarized differently could be resolved at closer spacings. Experimental DF accuracy was limited by the oncalibrated scattering of source energy from the test range support tower and from the ground. The measured direction of arrival of one source changed by less than 0.01 beamwidths as the other two sources were switched on and off in all combinations. In general, results indicated that all parameters of a source can be measured and the signal waveform can be recovered as well in the presence of other sources less than a beamwidth away.

A novel algorithm and architecture for adaptive digital beamforming

Abstract: A novel algorithm and architecture are described which have specific application to high performance, digital, adaptive beamforming. It is shown how a simple, linearly constrained adaptive combiner forms the basis for a wide range of adaptive antenna subsystems. The function of such an adaptive combiner is formulated as a recursive least squares minimization operation and the corresponding weight vector is obtained by means of the Q-R decomposition algorithm using Givens rotations. An efficient pipelined architecture to implement this algorithm is also described. It takes the form of a triangular systolic/wavefront array and has many desirable features for very large scale integration (VLSI) system design.

Phase scan antenna array

Abstract: A phase scan antenna array for planar radar scanning in a single plane with pencil-shaped beam is provided comprising a plurality of ferrite rod line source antennas. Each rod antenna has a plurality of beam-emitting slots spaced along one side thereof and is end fed in phase with the other antennas from a single hollow metallic waveguide by means of coupling slots in the waveguide which are spaced apart one wavelength of the radar frequency. The rods are mounted in a two-dimensional columnar array with the beam-emitting slots of each rod aligned in rows with the corresponding slots of the other rods by a mounting member having a plurality of mutually-parallel slots in which the rods are disposed. The walls of the mounting member slots suppress Faraday rotation of the waves in the rods and the bottom of the slots enhance the single beam emitted from the face of the array. The array rods are simultaneously magnetically biased by a plurality of serially-interconnected biasing coils which are helically wound around the mounting member and disposed between the rows of beam-emitting rod slots.

Spatial spectrum estimation in a coherent signal environment using an array in motion

Abstract: Spatial spectrum estimation utilizing an array in motion is here investigated for dealing with coherent arrivals in a multiple signal environment. The effect of estimating the spatial correlations while the array is moving is studied in terms of the decorrelation it produces, the change it causes in the eigenvalues of the correlation matrix, and the improvements obtained in the measured spectrum. Cases of both fixed and varying angle of arrival are investigated, The former arises with distant sources and will, with a sufficiently long estimation interval, emulate uncorrelated sources and given correspondingly sharp spectra. The latter arises with nearby sources and will allow them to be distinguished but will be attended by spectral shift and broadening, and loss of resolution. It is shown that meaningful estimates of the arrival angles can nevertheless be made. Specific illustrations are worked out using a seven-element, sparse, nonuniformly spaced linear array utilizing the well-known superresolution spectral estimators-the maximum likelihood (ML) method, the method of linear prediction (LP), and the method of multiple signal classification (MUSIC).

Error Analysis of the Optimal Antenna Array Processors

Abstract: The optimal weights of an antenna array processor, which maximizes the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the absence of errors, are computed using the noise-alone matrix inverse (NAMI) and the steering vector in the look direction or the signal-plus-noise matrix inverse (SPNMI) and the steering vector. In practice the estimated steering vector as well as the estimated optimal weights are corrupted by random errors. This paper has analyzed the effects of these errors on the performance of the NAMI processor and the SPNMI processor by deriving analytic expressions for the output signal power, output noise power, output SNR, and the array gain as a function of the error variance. The treatment is for a general array configuration and no assumption about a particular array geometry is made.

A new set of linear constraints for broad-band time domain element space processors

Abstract: A new set of linear constraints for designing broad-band time domain element space antenna array processors is presented. The set of linear constraints is used to ensure that a desired look-direction response of the processor over a frequency band of interest can be closely approximated. The design technique is posed in such a way that three types of presteering can be handled: no presteering, coarse presteering, and exact presteering. The elimination of presteering time delays or the possibility to use coarse presteering is an attractive feature in a digital implementation of antenna array processors. The relationship that the new processor has to other broad-band processors is also established. Furthermore, the approach enables various types of errors and mismatches between signal model and actual scenario to be incorporated in the problem formulation.

Antenna with integral tuning element

Abstract: A patch antenna, which may be one element of an antenna array, is formed on one broad surface of a semiconductor plate. A ground plane is formed on the second broad surface. This semiconductor is doped in regions near a periphery of the patch to define a semiconductor PN junction have electrode contacts to the patch and to the ground plane. The junction has capacitance which tunes the patch antenna. The characteristics of the junction are controlled by bias to selectively tune the patch antenna. The bias is a direct voltage in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment, the junction work function itself provides a bias which is controlled by temperature control of the diode.

Hyperthermia treatment method and apparatus

Abstract: A system and associated method that combines microwave detection (radiometry) with microwave heating (hyperthermia) for the treatment of cancer with a microwave radiometric detector is operable during a receive mode of operation to establish signal path characteristics and a microwave transmitter is operable during a transmit mode of operation to carry out the hyperthermia treatment. There is provided an antenna array of a plurality antennae disposed over the tumor site. These antennae are coupled to separate signal channels. During the receive mode of operation the separate channel signals are combined for coupling to the microwave radiometric detector to enable adjustment of the phase of the separate antenna signals so as to maximize the signal detected at the microwave radiometric detector. Thereafter, during the transmit mode of operation the microwave transmitter couples signals to the signal channels to provide beam focusing of the microwave energy on to the tumor site.

SAR Patterns from an Interstitial Microwave Antenna-Array Hyperthermia System

Abstract: In recent years, a number of groups have been investigating the use of interstitial microwave antenna-array hyperthermia (IMAAH) systems for the treatment of superficial and deep-seated tumors. A critical parameter in any hyperthermia system is the SAR (specific absorption rate) pattern, which gives information about the energy absorption in the tumor and surrounding tissue. In this paper, we compare the theoretical and measured values of the SAR distribution for an array of four 915-MHz antennas implanted on the corners of a 2-cm square array. The overall length of the antennas was assumed to be 7 cm theoretically and was either 6 or 7 cm for the measurements. In general, there was good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results. In particular, both theory and experiment demonstrated that the maximum SAR occurred in the junction plane of the antenna array and at the center of the square array. Similarly, both showed that the Iongitudinal extent of the heating pattern is about 5 cm for a single antenna, but closer to 3 cm for an array where the Iongitudinal extent is defined by the length in the longitudinal direction where the SAR is greater than 50 percent of the maximum. The experiments showed that the SAR patterns were quite reproducible, and that the use of double stub tuners to minimize the reflected power for each antenna resulted in poorer SAR patterns due to phase variations created by the tuners. However, the use of an attenuator with each antenna to equalize the maximum SAR from each antenna did improve the SAR distributions slightly.

Simultaneous nulling in sum and difference patterns by amplitude control

Abstract: A method is discussed of suppressing jammers simultaneously in the sum and the difference patterns of a linear antenna array by either using complex weights or controlling the current amplitudes only, with special emphasis on the latter method. For a given array size, the total number of jammers that can be nulled is doubled if complex weights are used instead of real weights. However, the amplitude-only technique has many attractions. It is shown that because the resulting current amplitude distribution has a double symmetry, the number of attenuators required for simultaneous nulling can be as low as a quarter of the total number of elements in the array. This means a much faster computing speed as well as a considerable saving in hardware. The method also allows the main beam of the antenna to be scanned by using phase-shifters while nulls are placed in directions of known jammers in both the sum and difference patterns by using attenuators. As a result, the maximization of the signal-to-jammer ratio can be achieved with relative ease, because the stronger a jammer is, the easier it is to locate it and hence to suppress it.

Steady state analysis of the generalized sidelobe canceller by adaptive noise cancelling techniques

Abstract: Narrow-band adaptive noise cancelling techniques are used to study the generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC), a general form of linearly constrained adaptive beamforming structure In an environment which consists of a look-direction signal, one jammer, and additive receiver noise, exact expressions are derived for the Wiener solution, the steady state output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR 0 ), and performance improvement due to adaptation (PIA), defined as the ratio of SINR 0 after adaptation to SINR0 before adaptation These expressions are in terms of the signal directions and power levels, an arbitrary array geometry, and a general signal blocking matrix Next, easily evaluated scalar equations for PIA are given for two classes of constraints The first is constant gain in the look direction, and the second is constant gain plus a main beam zero first derivative in the look direction Under the further assumption of an equally spaced line array, even simpler equations for PIA result, and are used to show that for jammers arriving outside the heamwidth between first nulls (BWFN) region of the unadapted beampattern, the introduction of the additional main beam zero first derivative constraint leads to negligible degradation in PIA

A solution to the adaptive nulling problem with a look-direction constraint in the presence of coherent jammers

Abstract: A new adaptive technique is presented that is capable of nulling coherent, as well as incoherent, jammers while maintaining a fixed gain in the look direction. The technique depends on the use of new kind of correlation matrix and a subtractive preprocessor. It does not require any spatial smoothing. It requires 2M elements to null M-1 coherent jammers in the presence of noise. The matrix used in the technique is such that its unbiased estimate in the presence of noise can be obtained. This helps making the algorithm robust to noise in finding the desired weight vector to be used by the array.

Multioctave bandwidth log-periodic microstrip antenna array

Abstract: The application of the log-periodic technique to the series-fed electromagnetically coupled overlaidpatch array allows antennas with flat conformal characteristics and wide bandwidths to be obtained. A k-s analysis of this and other microstrip array types indicate that the microstrip patch is not an optimum element for log-periodic arrays and that direct connection will result in arrays having a limited bandwidth. The addition of series capacitance to the patch equivalent circuit, implemented by electromagnetic coupling, allows an optimum to be approached. Log-periodic overlaid patch array design and measured results for an array with a 4:1 bandwidth are presented. These, together with a transmission-line analysis, indicate the array-design trade offs available and that the ultimate bandwidth is limited primarily by changes in the input return loss and radiation pattern due to the use of uniform thickness substrates.

A planar version of a 4.0 GHz reactively steered adaptive array

Abstract: -A planar (two-dimensional) reactively steered adaptive array (RESAA) including a single active microstrip element and eight closely coupled parasitic microstrip elements has been designed and tested. Steering of a null toward a single incident jammer is accomplished by adaptive control of reactive terminations on the parasitic elements using a guided random search algorithm. The planar array can steer a null in both the elevation and azimuth directions with a depth of 30 dB.

Tamed adaptive antenna array

Abstract: The adaptive array under directionaily constrained minimization of power (DCMP) algorithm is improved by adding a "pseudonoise." It is effective to protect the desired signal from cancellation or distortion in such cases as 1) where a coherent interference is incident, or 2) where the desired signal direction for the constraint contains some pointing error, or 3) when the desired signal is broad band, The optimum amount of pseudonoise to be added is also discussed and its formula is given. This system is named "tamed adaptive antenna" since its killing capability is somewhat moderated so as not to hurt the desired signal.

Beam forming antenna system

Abstract: A plurality of beam forming networks are connected to a plurality of antenna array elements. Each beam forming network has a plurality of output terminals equal to the plurality of antenna array elements. A respective one of the terminals of each beam forming array is connected to a respective one of the antenna array elements through a simple junction. The system can produce multiple beams from a single array of antenna elements and is low-loss, and thus appropriate for radar applications, because it obtains isolation between beams by applying orthogonality principles.

Wide-band adaptive array processing using pole-zero digital filters

Abstract: Conventional broad-band array processing is accomplished by linearly combining the outputs of tapped-delay lines attached to each sensor of an array. This type of processing can be interpreted as using an all-zero digital filter at each sensor to generate a frequency-dependent magnitude and phase shift (weighting) over the array operating bandwidth. A new array processing method is presented which uses digital filters having both poles and zeros to perform the frequency-dependent array weighting. Several algorithms for adapting the pole-zero array filters are introduced. Computer simulations are then presented demonstrating the potential for substantial improvement in broad-band interference nulling provided by pole-zero array processing.

Comparison of Superresolution Algorithms for Radio Direction Finding

Abstract: The problem of high-frequency radio direction finding (HFDF) has perennially been compounded by the interference effects of multicomponent wavefields. The wavefields are generally produced by ionospheric multipath or cochannel interference from other transmitted signals. Because HFDF sytems must operate on short duration signals and are usually restricted to limited antenna array apertures, modern techniques of superresolution spectral analysis are applied to resolve the constituency of multicomponent wavefields. This paper presents a performance comparison of five superresolution spectral algorithms in solving the HFDF wave interference problem.

Use of a phase corrector plate to generate a single-lobed phased array far field pattern

Abstract: -Most phased arrays operate in array modes that produce a twin-lobed far field pattern. A robust method has been developed to produce a single lobe by using an external phase corrector plate positioned at the image plane of the array facet. Results are given showing the changes in the far field pattern as the corrector plate is shifted across the image plane of the array facet. Alignment of the corrector plate is not critical to a certain extent, along the optic axis of the microscope objective, and the pattern is stable over a wide operating current range.

SMI adaptive antenna arrays for weak interfering signals

Abstract: The performance of adaptive antenna arrays in the presence of weak interfering signals (below noise level) is studied. It is shown that conventional adaptive arrays are unable to suppress such interfering signals. To overcome this problem, the feedback loops controlling the array weights are modified. In the modified feedback loops, the noise level in the feedback loops is reduced by reducing the correlation between the noise components of the two inputs to the loop correlator. Two techniques to decorrelate these noise components are discussed. It is shown that adaptive arrays with the modified feedback loops provide the desired interference suppression. An expression is given for the amount of noise decorrelation required to achieve a specified interference suppression.

Application of the minimum scattering antenna theory to mismatched antennas

Abstract: The mutual impedance between canonical minimum scattering (CMS) antennas can be calculated directly from their far-field radiation patterns. While having the potential to greatly simplify array analysis and design, the theory has limited practical applicability because, by definition, CMS antennas are matched to their terminations. It is shown here that the theoretical basis of the mutual coupling calculation does not require the antennas to be matched and that the theory is simply extended to mismatched antennas. The only requirement is that the antennas are invisible, i.e., do not scatter, when open-circuited. This does not impose a greater restriction on the practical applicability of the method, since characteristic mode theory indicates that dipoles and loops, and perhaps other antennas, can be made very nearly invisible by a suitable reactive termination if the frequency is near or below first resonance. A new antenna, consisting of the original antenna plus a particular length of transmission line, will then be almost invisible on open circuit. The theory is applied to calculating the active impedance in an array of small monopole-like elements in a parallel plate waveguide and the results compared with experiment.

Steered-beam satellite communication system

Abstract: A satellite communication system employing a satellite in a geostationary orbit about the earth for communicating with ground stations disposed along a region of the earth positioned along an arc of a great circle of the earth. The satellite carries a frequency-scanning antenna array oriented for scanning a beam of electromagnetic radiation in one plane aligned with the arc of the great circle. Each position of the beam is formed with a different frequency of the radiation. The operating frequency of each ground station is selected to match the frequency of a beam directed from the satellite to the ground station. An antenna assembly formed of two confocal parabolic reflectors provides for a multiplication of the effective aperture of an array of radiating elements of the antenna, and also for a demagnification of a scan angle of radiation emanating from the array of radiating elements.

Direction-determining system

Abstract: A direction determining system having a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a linear antenna array and a fast switching facility, the linear antenna array comprised of at least two antenna elements and the GPS receiver including two Costas Loops. The fast switching facility permits an input signal received by the two antenna elements to be processed and alternately supplied to the Costas Loops in synchronism for measuring the phases of the input signals received nearly simultaneously. The phase difference between the output signals of the two Costas Loops is measured in a phase meter and the pointing angle of the linear antenna array relative to the direction of a GPS satellite is determined by interferometry.