Optimized VAA Based Synthesis of Elliptical Cylindrical Antenna Array for SLL Reduction and Beam Thinning Using Minimum Number of Elements

Abstract

In this paper, new virtual antenna array (VAA) based synthesis techniques are introduced for side lobe level (SLL) reduction, beam thinning, and number of elements minimization for elliptical cylindrical antenna arrays (ECAA) of radar systems. Thereby, significant improvements in the array gain and directivity are achieved, which enhance the detection range and angular resolution of the radar. Furthermore, the overall implementation cost of the system is highly reduced by saving the number of elements and the corresponding RF chains and simplifying the feeding network. Firstly, the proposed technique decomposes the single transmit/receive ECAA into a separate transmit linear antenna array (LAA) and receive elliptical antenna array (EAA). Secondly, the number of antenna elements, element spacing, and excitations of the created LAA and EAA are optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to produce efficient beamformed patterns. Finally, the Kronker product of the optimized LAA and EAA patterns is performed to form the optimized virtual ECAA (V-ECAA) pattern. We also introduced both the uniform feeding based V-ECAA technique and the non-uniform feeding based V-ECAA synthesis technique for more flexibility and better productivity in antenna arrays design. The simulation results revealed that the uniform feeding based V-ECAA provides an identical pattern to that of the traditional uniform feeding ECAA while saves the number of elements by 66.6%. While in the case of non-uniform feeding based V-ECAA, it provides much lower SLL and narrower HPBW than those of the ECAA while saving the number of elements by 63.8%. Furthermore, the HB is applied to provide additional beam thinning and SLL reduction of the proposed nonuniform V-ECAA that is denoted as (HBV-ECAA). The possibility of practical validations of the synthesized V-ECAAs is verified using the computer simulation technology (CST) microwave studio package, which gives users an integrated design environment and achieves realizable and robust designs.

New Antenna Array Beamforming Techniques Based on Hybrid Convolution/Genetic Algorithm for 5G and Beyond Communications

“…In [17], new hybrid array beamforming techniques based on the integration between the virtual antenna array (VAA) concept, PSO technique, and hyper-beamforming were introduced for SLL reduction and thinning of elliptical cylindrical antenna arrays (ECAA) in radar systems. The VAA decomposes the ECAA into created LAA and EAA.…”

Using virtual antenna array technology to analyze the electromagnetic environment

“…Based on the measured characteristics of electromagnetic waves, it becomes possible to perform an approximation of the characteristics of the waves, due to which the levels of the side lobes of the radiation patterns are reduced, as is described in [2]. Reducing the level of side lobes increases the noise immunity of antenna elements, which has a positive effect on the quality of wave measurements.…”

Virtual antenna array for reduced energy per bit transmission at Sub-5 GHz mobile wireless communication systems

“…We believe the solution is to implement the MIMO system with a virtual antenna array (VAA) [13][14][15][16]. Compared to traditional antenna arrays (TAA), VAA use fewer radiators to generate a more focused beam pattern as though it was generated from a much larger array.…”