Phased Array Antenna System Research Articles

Null Steering In Phased Antenna Array System Using Amplitude Only GA and PSO

Null Steering In Phased Antenna Array System Using Amplitude Only GA and PSO

A low-cost wideband phase shifter for two-way mm-wave phased array antenna system

This paper presents a wideband, low-cost, high-performance, and continuous phase shifter for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) phased array systems. Its operational principle is based on modifying the propagation mode of a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) line by placing a high dielectric constant slab over the GCPW line. The propagation constant and hence the phase shift is varied by changing the air gap height between the GCPW line and the dielectric slab. As a proof of concept, a piezoelectric transducer is used to precisely control this air gap height. A printed circuit board-based phase shifter prototype has been designed, fabricated, and tested at two different frequency bands (19–21 and 28.5–30.5 GHz), which are the downlink and uplink bands, respectively, of the Ka-band two-way satellite communication system. A continuous and almost linear phase–voltage characteristic has been achieved experimentally with average phase shift variations 170° and 260° over the two bands, respectively. The footprint of the proposed phase shifter is 2.1 mm×3 mm, which is quite small and suitable for low-profile mm-wave applications. The average insertion losses over the two bands are <0.53 and 2.35 dB with very low variations±0.22 and ±0.35 dB, respectively.

Carrier generation using a dual-frequency distributed feedback waveguide laser for phased array antenna (PAA)

BackgroundCarrier generation based on optical heterodyning techniques where a beat signal is generated from the mixing of two light sources can be interesting solution due to ease on tunability. The free running heterodyning scheme benefits with a very wide tuning capability and the generated carrier can be freely adjusted. However, the drawbacks come in the form of frequency stability. Heterodyning of two optical frequencies coming from a single laser cavity has shown its potential on improvement of frequency stability.MethodsThe impact of the laser parameters (i.e., optical power and linewidth) on the quality of the generated carrier (i.e., phase/frequency stability and carrier-to-noise ratio) is analyzed for a 25×64 elements PAA system. An optically generated carrier signal using a dual-frequency distributed feedback waveguide laser in ytterbium doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3:Yb3+) is analyzed and experimentally demonstrated in this paper. The carrier signal is used for downconversion of the signal received from a phased array antenna (PAA) of a DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcasting-Satellite) system.ResultsAn optical frequency locked loop (OFLL) to stabilize the generated carrier is implemented which results in a microwave frequency at ∼14 GHz with a phase noise of -75 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the center frequency and gives a loop settling time of 12 μs. By using the proposed OFLL, the long term and the short term frequency stability of the generated carrier has an Allan deviation of more than 1×10−10 for an averaging time of 1000 s and a standard deviation of 39.4 kHz, respectively. The lasers linewidth should be in the order of tens of Hz, with a maximum relative intensity noise (RIN) of -107 dB/Hz and a minimum optical power of 0.94 mW.ConclusionsThe optical carrier generation by OFLL using a DFL to comply with the requirements of the standard carrier used in commercial LNBs has been investigated. The detailed analysis of the OFLL scheme is presented. Specifications requirement on carrier power, linewidth and relative intensity noise of the optically generated carrier have been addressed. The optical carrier generation is experimentally demonstrated and the requirements on CNR have been determined by measuring the noise floor and the optical carrier power. The measured values are compared with the calculated values and found to be very close.

Analysis of Photonics-Based RF Beamforming With Large Instantaneous Bandwidth

Since the photonics-based true time delay could significantly broaden the instantaneous bandwidth of a phased antenna array system, solutions utilizing wideband signals could be enabled to considerably enhance the functionality and performance of RF systems. To investigate the features of the wideband beamforming, a comprehensive theoretical model is developed in this paper to analyze the photonics-based broadband beamforming network for uniform linear arrays. In the proposed model, the performance of the beamforming network over the operational frequency band is intuitively depicted through a two-dimensional spatial-temporal frequency response, in which both the spatial frequency (or the corresponding observation angle) and the temporal frequency are adopted as independent variables. In addition, cross correlation of the original signal and the signal that undergoes the beamforming network is calculated to define a wideband pattern and a new figure of merit, so that the waveform-dependent overall response over a large bandwidth can be evaluated. Based on the theoretical model, a time-domain method for pattern measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which offers the coincident result as the frequency-domain method but is more convenient to be conducted. Numerical results of several typical photonics-based beamforming structures are presented to investigate the impact of nonidealities on the two-dimensional response and the proposed figure of merit.

Impedance-Dependent Wideband Digital Predistortion of Solid-State Radar Amplifiers

Spectral regrowth and waveform distortion caused by wideband signals input into active phased array antenna systems is the problem this paper addresses. The paper's unique contribution is the development of the impedance-dependent memory polynomial model, capable of solving nonlinear predistortion model parameters for a solid-state high power amplifier with varying load impedance resulting from active electronic beamsteering. Wideband load impedance mismatched tests demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique on a 2.7 GHz, 8 W amplifier.

Microstrip Patch Antenna Assisted Compact Dual Band Planar Crossover

In Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits, crossovers maintain signal purity when transmission lines overlap with each other. A simple crossover for dual band applications, particularly suitable for the development of smart antennas, is presented in this paper. Derived from conventional patch antenna, the proposed crossovers are easy to design and fabricate, thus reducing the overall complexity. Design is verified for a dual band crossover at 2.4/5.23 GHz on FR4 (Fiberglass Reinforced) epoxy and tested using Keysight E5080 A Vector Network Analyser. The results obtained by simulation and measurement are in agreement. The proposed crossovers find application in a Butler matrix for phased array and smart antenna systems.

Antenna Cross-Polar Requirements for 3-PolD Weather Radar Measurements

The analysis and correction of the bias occurring in weather radar polarimetric measurements is a challenging problem. Polarization coupling due to the cross-polar radiation pattern of the radar’s antenna is known to be responsible for errors in the estimation of the polarimetric covariance matrix, and consequently in the hydrometeor classification and quantification, either when using the ATSR or the SHV method. An alternative method for Doppler and polarimetric measurements based on transmitting three different polarizations (3-PolD) has been proven to provide accurate polarimetric covariance matrix estimates without making any hypothesis about the target polarimetric response or its Doppler spectrum. This method does not reduce the Doppler capabilities or the unambiguous range of the radar despite alternately transmitting 3-PolD. These characteristics have encouraged evaluating the polarimetric parameter biases due to cross-polar radiation when this method is used. Biases are calculated considering reflector antenna systems as well as phased-array antenna systems. The results show that this method may guarantee a tolerable bias level even with a poor co- to cross-polar antenna pattern ratio.

Evaluation of Beamforming and Direction Finding for a Phased Array HF Ocean Current Radar

AbstractThe errors in the current radial velocity measurements are examined using Bartlett beamforming and Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) direction-finding algorithms with a linear phased array antenna system. A variety of radar and environmental parameters are examined. Suggestions for the optimal choice of operating parameters are proposed. The MUSIC algorithm has shown promising performance in current measurement when beamforming is used to first establish the maximum current velocity. Comparisons of radar field data and current meter measurements show RMS radial velocity differences in magnitude of 7.44 and 6.64 cm s−1 for the Bartlett beamforming and MUSIC–Bartlett algorithms, respectively. The results indicate that there are advantages to using a MUSIC–Bartlett approach in operational applications.

Hybrid RF and Digital Beamformer for Cellular Networks: Algorithms, Microwave Architectures, and Measurements

Modern wireless communication networks, particularly the upcoming cellular networks, utilize multiple antennas to improve capacity and signal coverage. In these systems, typically an active transceiver is connected to each antenna. However, this one-to-one mapping between transceivers and antennas will dramatically increase the cost and complexity of a large phased antenna array system. In this paper, firstly we propose a digitally steerable beamformer architecture where a reduced number of transceivers with a digital beamformer (DBF) is connected to an increased number of antennas through an RF beamforming network (RFBN). Then, based on the proposed architecture, we present a methodology to derive the minimum number of transceivers that are required for macro-cell and small-cell base stations. Subsequently, in order to achieve optimal beam patterns with given cellular standard requirements and RF operational constraints, we propose efficient algorithms to jointly design DBF and RFBN. Starting from the proposed algorithms, we specify generic microwave RFBNs for optimal macro-cell and small-cell networks. In order to verify the proposed approaches, we compare the performance of RFBN using simulations and anechoic chamber measurements. Experimental measurement results confirm the robustness and performance of the proposed hybrid DBF-RFBN concept ensuring that theoretical multi-antenna capacity and coverage are achieved at a little incremental cost.

Employment of New Techniques for Characterizing Indian MST Radar Phased Array

ABSTRACTScientific investigations of dynamical processes in the earth's atmosphere are being performed over the past two decades using a 53 MHz mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere (MST) radar, which is located at Gadanki, India. This radar consists of a phased antenna array of 1024 Yagi-Uda antennas. Antenna phase calibration is an important aspect for accurate measurements of atmospheric parameters by phased array MST/ST radars. In this paper, we describe two newly employed techniques to calibrate the large phased array antenna system of the Indian MST radar and the results obtained by these techniques. A “total power radiometer” technique has been employed for the first time to calibrate the antenna pattern in the receive mode. Radio source Virgo-A has been used as source in the far field for this purpose. The new technique has enabled us to characterize for the first time the first side lobe level of the antenna pattern and also the beam pointing accuracy in the E-plane. In the receive mode, antenna pattern is characterized with a 3 dB full beam width of 2.8o, first side lobe level of −18 dB, beam pointing accuracy is better than 0.12o. While the beam width and beam pointing accuracy are found to be close to the design values, the first side lobe level is 2 dB higher than that expected. To characterize the two-way antenna beam, active radar experiments are conducted and beam pointing accuracy has been estimated to be ∼0.1o using radar echoes from the moon; again for the first time. Improvement of signal-to-noise-ratio is observed with the newly developed antenna phase calibration method that used receiver quadrature detector. The agreement in comparison of wind vector derived from radar observations and Global Positioning System (GPS)-radiosonde measurements shows the performance status of the array antenna with the applied phase calibration.

Combining the switched-beam and beam-steering capabilities in a 2-D phased array antenna system

This paper presents the development, fabrication, and measurement of a novel beam-forming system consisting of 16 subarray antennas, each containing four aperture-coupled patch antennas, and the application of this system in smart wireless communication systems. The beam patterns of each of the subarray antennas can be switched toward one of nine zones over a half space by adjusting the specific phase delay angles among the four antenna elements. Furthermore, when all subarrays are pointed at the same zone, slightly continuous beam steering in around 1° increments can be achieved by dynamically altering the progressive phase delay angle among the subarrays. Phase angle calibration was implemented by coupling each transmitter output and down converter into the in-phase/quadrature baseband to calculate the correction factor to the weight. In addition, to validate the proposed concepts and the fabricated 2-D phased array antenna system, this study measured the far-field radiation patterns of the aperture-coupled patch array integrated with feeding networks and a phase-calibration system to carefully verify its spatially switched-beam and beam-steering characteristics at a center frequency of 2.4 GHz which can cover the industrial, scientific, and medical band and some long-term evolution applications. In addition, measured results were compared with calculated results, and agreement between them was observed.

A novel phased array antenna system for microwave-assisted organic syntheses under waveguideless and applicatorless setup conditions

An experimental microwave phased array antenna system to carry out organic syntheses and materials processing under waveguideless and applicatorless conditions is reported.

Multiple wall-reflection effect in adaptive-array differential-phase reflectometry on QUEST

A phased array antenna and Software-Defined Radio (SDR) heterodyne-detection systems have been developed for adaptive array approaches in reflectometry on the QUEST. In the QUEST device considered as a large oversized cavity, standing wave (multiple wall-reflection) effect was significantly observed with distorted amplitude and phase evolution even if the adaptive array analyses were applied. The distorted fields were analyzed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in wavenumber domain to treat separately the components with and without wall reflections. The differential phase evolution was properly obtained from the distorted field evolution by the FFT procedures. A frequency derivative method has been proposed to overcome the multiple-wall reflection effect, and SDR super-heterodyned components with small frequency difference for the derivative method were correctly obtained using the FFT analysis.

Low‐loss compact MEMS phase shifter for phased array antennas

A compact and low-loss MEMS-based phase shifter is proposed for microwave/millimetre-wave phased array antenna systems. The proposed phase shifter is an alumina-based CPW line, loaded with a variable series capacitor. The phase shifter uses an electromagnetic MEMS actuator to change the capacitor value. A simple three-mask surface micromachining process has been developed for device fabrication. The measurements at 26 GHz show a phase shift of 20°. The overall size of the phase shifter (including the actuator) is 0.5 × 1.5 mm. The measured average insertion loss is 0.75 dB with a variation of 0.4 dB for different phase shifts across the band from 24.5 to 26.5 GHz.

Optical true time delay unit for multi-beamforming.

An optical true time delay (TTD) unit capable of adding independent time delays to multiple RF signals is proposed, which can be used for multi-beamforming in both transmit and receive modes. In the proposed unit, N RF signals with different center frequencies are modulated on an optical frequency comb (OFC). After transmission through a dispersive element, the RF-modulated OFC is split into N paths. In each path, a comb line is selected by a tunable optical filter. Thanks to the chromatic dispersion of the dispersive element, independently-controllable TTDs can be obtained in all paths. Then, a microwave photonic filter (MPF) is incorporated in each path, allowing a designated RF signal to undergo the TTD in that path. A proof-of-concept experiment is carried out. A two-path unit with a low-pass MPF in one path and a high-pass MPF in the other path is built. Controllable TTDs up to ~1.4 ns with a step of ~69 ps are demonstrated based on a 25-GHz-spacing OFC. In addition, a wideband multi-beam phased-array antenna system that can work in both transmit and receive modes is designed using the proposed TTD unit.

기판집적 도파관(SIW)을 기반으로 하는 고효율 능동 위상 배열안테나

저손실, 전자기 완전차폐, 고전력 특성을 갖는 기판집적 도파관(SIW)을 이용하여 X-band <TEX>$8{\times}16$</TEX> 이중편파 능동 위상배열안테나 시스템을 구현하였다. 16-way SIW 전력분배 네트워크의 측정된 순수 삽입손실(0.65 dB)은 마이크로스트립 경우보다 1 dB 감소하였으며, SIW 부배열(<TEX>$1{\times}16$</TEX>) 안테나 소자의 측정된 방사효율(73 %)은 약 2배(3 dB) 향상되었다. 이러한 SIW를 이용한 분배손실과 방사효율의 상당한 개선은 능동 위상 배열안테나 시스템에서 고전력 증폭기의 최대출력(P1 dB)을 저감하고, 총 전력소모를 약 30 % 절감할 것이다. SIW 기반으로 제작된 X-band <TEX>$8{\times}16$</TEX> 이중편파 능동 위상 배열안테나 시스템을 이론적인 제어벡터만을 생성하여 0도, 5도, 9도, 18도의 정밀한(최대편차 2도) 빔 조향을 측정하였으며, 열주기/진공 시험에서 우주환경 적합성을 확인하였다. 고효율 SIW 배열안테나 시스템은 고성능 레이더는 물론 차세대 무선통신(5G)을 위한 Massive MIMO와 다양한 밀리미터파 통신시스템(60 GHz WPAN, 77 GHz 자동차 레이더, 초고속 디지털 전송시스템 등)에 매우 유용할 것으로 기대한다. An X-band <TEX>$8{\times}16$</TEX> dual-polarized active phased array antenna system has been implemented based on the substrate integrated waveguide(SIW) technology having low propagation loss, complete EM shielding, and high power handling characteristics. Compared with the microstrip case, 1 dB less is the measured insertion loss(0.65 dB) of the 16-way SIW power distribution network and doubled(3 dB improved) is the measured radiation efficiency(73 %) of the SIW sub-array(<TEX>$1{\times}16$</TEX>) antenna element. These significant improvements of the power division loss and the radiation efficiency using the SIW, save more than 30 % of the total power consumption, in the active phased array antenna systems, through substantial reduction of the maximum output power(P1 dB) of the high power amplifiers. Using the X-band <TEX>$8{\times}16$</TEX> dual-polarized active phased array antenna system fabricated by the SIW technology, the main radiation beam has been steered by 0, 5, 9, and 18 degrees in the accuracy of 2 degree maximum deviation by simply generating the theoretical control vectors. Performing thermal cycle and vacuum tests, we have found that the SIW array antenna system be eligible for the space environment qualification. We expect that the high efficiency SIW array antenna system be very effective for high performance radar systems, massive MIMO for 5G mobile systems, and various millimeter-wave systems(60 GHz WPAN, 77 GHz automotive radars, high speed digital transmission systems).

Photonic True-Time Delay for Phased-Array Antenna System using Dispersion Compensating Module and a Multiwavelength Fiber Laser

An optical true-time delay beam-forming system using a tunable dispersion compensating module (DCM) for dense-wavelength division modulation (DWDM) and a multiwavelength fiber ring laser for a phased array antenna is proposed. The multiwavelength fiber ring laser has one output that includes four wavelengths; and four outputs that include only single-wavelength. The advantage of such a multiwavelength fiber ring laser is that it minimizes the number of devices in the phased array antenna system. The time delays according to wavelengths, which are assigned for each antenna element, are obtained from the tunable DCM. The tunable DCM based on a temperature adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon is used. As an experimental result, a DCM could be used to obtain the change of the beam angle by adjusting the dispersion value of the DCM at the fixed lasing wavelengths of the fiber ring laser in the proposed optical true-time delay.

Broadband tunable beam steering with a broadband and linear phase shifter

A broadband tunable phased array antenna system was fabricated using a broadband and linear phase shifter. For the frequency between 1.6 and 2.4 GHz, more than ±19° of beam steering was achieved with a 1 × 4 array. The main part of this system consists of a low loss, compact, linear tunable phase shifter which is implemented with left-handed transmission line theory. For the same frequency range, the phase shifter showed less than 5.1 dB insertion loss for the whole 360° phase variation with ±21° of phase deviation from a linear line for the control voltages. By combining this phase shifter with a broadband quasi-Yagi antenna, a broadband tunable phased array was fabricated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1830–1832, 2014

A four‐port 12‐beam phased array antenna system

ABSTRACTIn this work, we propose a novel solution for a switched beamformer called the adjustable phased array system (APAS). By programming electronic switches, the implemented four‐antenna APAS circuit generates 12 phase‐shift angles that are multiples of . Compared to the legacy Butler matrix, the proposed APAS only needs one input port and four output ports and can provide more beam patterns with lower cost. Therefore, the APAS structure is a practical solution to satisfy the modern multiuser MIMO applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1375–1378, 2014

Compact phased array antenna system based on dual‐band operations

ABSTRACTThis article presents a novel approach to shrink the size of the conventional phased array antenna fed by Butler matrix. The proposed size reduction of the phased array antenna is obtained by designing the whole system to operate at dual frequency bands. Due to the dual‐band operation, an N‐element phased array antenna can be used to generate 2N radiation beams, leading to a great size reduction. To verify this design concept, a dual‐band feed network is built based on a dual‐band 4 × 4 Butler matrix. By integrating this dual‐band feed network with a four‐element antenna array, eight distinct radiation beams can be realized. An experimental prototype operating at 5 and 8 GHz is designed and fabricated. It can achieve the same function as the conventional phased array antenna system using single‐band 8 × 8 Butler matrix, realizing a great size reduction. The simulated and measured results show good agreement with the design theory. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1391–1396, 2014