Novel beam forming approach for rectangular planar array

Abstract

AbstractA novel beam forming approach is presented for rectangular antenna array. The new method is a noniterative approach and suitable for any rectangular planar array. The array element excitation matrix of the new method is solved directly through two novel matrix formulas on the basis of the fixed target beam pattern and the array configuration. In the second new beam forming matrix formula, there are two adjustable weighting matrices with variable parameters that can be used to control the beam attenuation. Simulations of the new approach are conducted to show its performance. The results of simulations show that the new approach can well synthesize the targeted pattern and the second formula can form excellent null beams in the two‐dimensional beam pattern. The important advantages over other existing techniques of the new method are: (a) it is suitable for any rectangular planar array; (b) it is noniterative method and thus more simple and easy to use; (c) it can form null beam easily, which is in sharp contrast to the fact that other existing methods for rectangular planar array does not perform well in null beam forming and even cannot form null beam aside from few special case.