Abstract
This work applies existing array processing principles to devise a new area of application. The properties of minimum redundancy linear arrays (MRLAs) and flexible arrays are studied, keeping in mind the possibility of using them in flexible 5G smartphones of the future. Millimeter frequencies for 5G communications enabled the use of a decent number of array elements, even at the user equipment (UE). MRLAs possess attractive properties among linear sparse arrays and flexible conformal arrays (flexible arrays) operate satisfactorily even when the surface they are built into changes shape. To the best of our knowledge, MRLAs were not applied to smartphones previously. In this work, a 16-element uniform linear array (ULA) and a 7-element MRLA (with the same aperture) are considered for simulations. Array factors of both the arrays in flat and bent positions have been computed using MATLAB. The effect of phase compensation and bending radii on the array pattern were verified. That phase compensation using the projection method (PM) restores the array pattern even for a bent MRLA is a major finding. Possible array processing modes have been suggested for a 5G smartphone in which the array could be made to operate in any of the four configurations: a flat ULA, a bent ULA, a flat MRLA, and a bent MRLA.
Highlights
Minimum redundancy linear arrays (MRLAs) or minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs) have numerous useful properties and had been primarily studied in the past in relation to radio astronomy [1, 2]
The array pattern of the MRA is compared with that of uniform linear array (ULA) containing 7 and 16 elements, respectively. This is because the MRA matches a 7-element ULA in the number of elements and resembles a 16element ULA in the aperture provided
We prove that phase compensation can recover the array patterns of bent MRAs too
Summary
Minimum redundancy linear arrays (MRLAs) or minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs) have numerous useful properties and had been primarily studied in the past in relation to radio astronomy [1, 2]. The SELFLEX array (flexible microstrip array) designed and prototyped in [14] has the ability to automatically provide the necessary phase compensation needed to recover the array pattern by sensing the amount of deformation undergone by the conformal surface using an inbuilt resistive sensor This self-adapting ability is extremely useful for surfaces that change shape (curvature) with time. Flexible Arrays Bent into Semicircular Arc. Consider a ULA of N-elements along the x-axis with an interelement spacing of d = 0.5λ. The first and last elements of the bent array do not need any phase compensation as they still lie on the x-axis even after bending. A flexible phone will most likely have a provision to be wrapped around the human wrist In such a case, the array would still be in the yz-plane but bent downwards along the negative z-axis.
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