volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

An efficient approach is presented for the design of a low sidelobe four-dimensional (4D) planar antenna array, taking into account mutual coupling and platform effect. The approach is based on the combination of the active element patterns and the differential evolution (DE) algorithm. Different from linear and circular arrays, the mutual coupling compensation in a planar array is more complicated since it requires numerous data of the active element patterns in different azimuth planes. In order to solve this problem, a useful interface program is developed to get these data from commercial software HFSS automatically. Also different from conventional low sidelobe arrays with tapered amplitude excitations, the low sidelobe in the 4D array is realized using time-modulation technique under uniform static amplitude and phase conditions. The DE algorithm is used to optimize the time sequences which are equivalent to the complex excitations in conventional arrays. Both computed results and simulated results in HFSS show that a -30 dB sidelobe pattern can be synthesized in a 76-element planar array with an octagonal ground plane and a radome, thus verifying the proposed approach.

1. Shanks, H. E. and R. W. Bickmore, "Four-dimensional electromagnetic radiators," Can. J. Phys., Vol. 37, 263-275, Mar. 1959.
doi:10.1139/p59-031 Google Scholar

2. Kummer, W. H., A. T. Villeneuve, T. S. Fong, and F. G. Terrio, "Ultra-low sidelobes from time-modulated arrays," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 11, 633-639, Nov. 1963.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1963.1138102 Google Scholar

3. Yang, S., Y. B. Gan, and A. Qing, "Sideband suppression in time-modulated linear arrays by the differential evolution algorithm," IEEE Antennas Wireless Propag. Lett., Vol. 1, 173-175, Dec. 2002.
doi:10.1109/LAWP.2002.807789 Google Scholar

4. Yang, S., Y. B. Gan, and P. K. Tan, "Comparative study of low sidelobe time modulated linear arrays with different time schemes," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Application, Vol. 18, No. 11, 1443-1458, 2004.
doi:10.1163/1569393042954910 Google Scholar

5. Yang, S., Y. Chen, and Z. Nie, "Simulation of time modulated linear antenna arrays using the FDTD method," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 98, 175-190, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIER09092507 Google Scholar

6. Pal, S., S. Das, and A. Basak, "Design of time-modulated linear arrays with a multi-objective optimization approach," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 23, 83-107, 2010.
doi:10.2528/PIERB10052401 Google Scholar

7. Rocca, P., L. Poli, G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "A multi-stage approach for the synthesis of sub-arrayed time modulated linear arrays," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 59, 3246-3254, 2011.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2161535 Google Scholar

8. Zhu, Q., S. Yang, L. Zheng, and Z. Nie, "A pattern synthesis approach in four dimensional antenna arrays with practical element models," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 25, No. 16, 2274-2286, 2011.
doi:10.1163/156939311798147105 Google Scholar

9. Chen, Y., S. Yang, and Z. Nie, "Synthesis of satellite footprint patterns from time-modulated planar arrays with very low dynamic range ratios," nt. J. Numer. Model, Vol. 21, 493-506, 2008.
doi:10.1002/jnm.684 Google Scholar

10. Poli, L., P. Rocca, L. Manica, and A. Massa, "Time modulated planar arrays analysis and optimization of the sideband radiations," IET Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 4, No. 9, 1165-1171, 2010.
doi:10.1049/iet-map.2009.0379 Google Scholar

11. Rocca, P., L. Poli, G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "Synthesis of time-modulated planar arrays with controlled harmonic radiations," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 24, No. 5-6, 827-838, 2010.
doi:10.1163/156939310791036304 Google Scholar

12. Li, G., S. Yang, Y. Chen, and Z. Nie, "A novel electronic beam steering technique in time modulated antenna arrays," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 97, 391-405, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIER09072602 Google Scholar

13. Poli, L., P. Rocca, G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "Harmonic beamforming in time-modulated linear arrays," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 59, 2538-2545, 2011.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2152323 Google Scholar

14. Tennant, A., "Experimental two-element time-modulated direction finding array," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 58, No. 3, 986-988, Mar. 2010.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2009.2039301 Google Scholar

15. Hong, T., M. Song, and Y. Liu, "RF directional modulation technique using a switched antenna array for communication and direction-finding applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 120, 195-213, 2011. Google Scholar

16. Rocca, P., L. Manica, L. Poli, and A. Massa, "Synthesis of compromise sum-difference arrays through time-modulation," IET Radar Sonar Navig., Vol. 3, 630-637, 2009.
doi:10.1049/iet-rsn.2009.0058 Google Scholar

17. Rocca, P., L. Poli, L. Manica, and A. Massa, "Synthesis of monopulse time-modulated planar arrays with controlled sideband radiation," IET Radar Sonar Navig., Vol. 6, 432-442, 2012.
doi:10.1049/iet-rsn.2012.0005 Google Scholar

18. Poli, L., P. Rocca, G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "Adaptive nulling in time-modulated linear arrays with minimum power losses," IET Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 5, 157-166, 2011.
doi:10.1049/iet-map.2010.0015 Google Scholar

19. Rocca, P., L. Poli, G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "Adaptive nulling in time-varying scenarios through time-modulated linear arrays," EEE Antennas Wireless Propag. Lett., Vol. 11, 101-104, 2012.
doi:10.1109/LAWP.2012.2183849 Google Scholar

20. Hong, T., M. Song, and Y. Liu, "RF directional modulation technique using a switched antenna array for physical layer secure communication applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 116, 363-379, 2011. Google Scholar

21. Kelley, D. F. and W. L. Stutzman, "Array antenna pattern modeling methods that include mutual coupling effects," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 41, No. 12, 1625-1632, Dec. 1993.
doi:10.1109/8.273305 Google Scholar

22. Oliveri, G., L. Manica, and A. Massa, "On the impact of mutual coupling effects on the PSL performances of ADS thinned arrays," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 17, 293-308, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIERB09082703 Google Scholar

23. Darwood, P., P. N. Fletcher, and G. S. Hilton, "Mutual coupling compensation in small planar array antennas," IEE Proc. --- Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 145, No. 1, 1-6, Feb. 1998.
doi:10.1049/ip-map:19981450 Google Scholar

24. Yuan, T., L. Li, M. Leong, J. Li, and N. Yuan, "Efficient analysis and design of finite phased arrays of printed dipoles using fast algorithm: Some case studies," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 21, No. 6, 737-754, 2007.
doi:10.1163/156939307780749057 Google Scholar

25. Pozar, D. M., "The active element pattern," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 42, No. 8, 1176-1178, Aug. 1994.
doi:10.1109/8.310010 Google Scholar

26. Yang, S. and Z. Nie, "Mutual coupling compensation in time modulated linear antenna arrays," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 53, No. 12, 4182-4185, Dec. 2005.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2005.860000 Google Scholar

27. Bernardi, G., M. Felaco, and M. D'Urso, "A simple strategy to tackle mutual coupling and platform effects in surveillance systems," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 20, 1-15, 2011. Google Scholar

28. He, Q. and B. Wang, "Design of microstrip array antenna by using active element pattern technique combining with Taylor synthesis method," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 80, 63-76, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIER07103006 Google Scholar

29. He, Q., B. Wang, and W. Shao, "Radiation pattern calculation for arbitrary conformal arrays that include mutual-coupling effects," IEEE Antennas Propag. Magazine, Vol. 52, No. 2, 57-63, Apr. 2010.
doi:10.1109/MAP.2010.5525566 Google Scholar

30. Pozar, D. M., "A relation between the active input impedance and the active element pattern of a phased array," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 51, No. 9, 2486-2489, Sep. 2003.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2003.816302 Google Scholar

31. Kelley, D. F., "Relationships between active element patterns and mutual impedance matrices in phased array antennas," Proc. IEEE Antennas Propag. Symp., 524-527, 2002. Google Scholar

32. Pal, S., B.-Y. Qu, S. Das, and P. N. Suganthan, "Optimal synthesis of linear antenna arrays with multi-objective differential evolution," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 21, 87-111, 2010. Google Scholar

33. Li, R., L. Xu, X.-W. Shi, N. Zhang, and Z.-Q. Lv, "Improved differential evolution strategy for antenna array pattern synthesis problems," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 113, 429-441, 2011. Google Scholar

34. Rocca, P., G. Oliveri, and A. Massa, "Differential evolution as applied to electromagnetics," IEEE Antennas Propag. Magazine, Vol. 53, 38-49, 2011.
doi:10.1109/MAP.2011.5773566 Google Scholar

35. Zhu, X., S. Yang, and Z. Nie, "Full-wave simulation of time modulated linear antenna arrays in frequency domain," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 56, No. 5, 1479-1482, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2008.922701 Google Scholar

36. Poli, L., P. Rocca, L. Manica, and A. Massa, "Pattern synthesis in time-modulated linear arrays through pulse shifting," IET Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 4, No. 9, 1157-1164, 2010.
doi:10.1049/iet-map.2009.0042 Google Scholar

Dr. Quanjiang Zhu

Professor Shiwen Yang

Dr. Ruilin Yao

Professor Zai-Ping Nie