Time-range FDA beampattern characteristics

Abstract

Current literature show that frequency diverse arrays (FDAs) are able of producing range–angle-dependent and time-variant transmit beampatterns, but the resulting time and range dependencies and their characteristics are still not well understood. This paper examines the FDA transmission model with an emphasis on analyzing the beam auto-scanning characteristics and the equivalence with the MIMO beampatterns taking into account their time-range relationship. We present the FDA instantaneous transmit beampattern, describing the auto-scanning capability of the FDA transmit beams. The scan speed, scan volume, and initial mainlobe direction of the beams are also analyzed. In addition, the equivalent conditions for the FDA integral transmit beampattern and the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) beampattern are investigated. Various numerical simulations illustrate the auto-scanning property of the FDA beampattern and the proposed equivalent relationship with the MIMO beampattern, providing a foundation for a better understanding and application of the FDA transmit beam.