volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

This paper aims to propose efficient scenarios for constructing subarray structures based on innovative cluster configurations for high-performance beamforming. Two efficient methods, spatial assembly clustered subarray (SACS) and radial section clustered subarray (RSCS), are proposed for constructing multiple planar antenna arrays. Several array grid shapes were selected, including the rectangular array (RA), uniformly circular area randomly filling (UCARF), polycycle concentric array (PCA), and circular rectangle lattice array (CRLA). Synthesizing large arrays requires a high-performance algorithm to ensure error-free tuning. Therefore, the optimization process was assigned to the convex optimization (CO) algorithm. A set of radiation constraints was incorporated to generate a strong phased beam pattern (PBP) based on the innovative cluster structures, including steering and null steering, and a significant reduction in the sidelobe levels (SLLs). Complex excitation optimization of the subarray elements was used to meet the requirements of electromagnetic radiation. Simulation results show that the four topologies using the RSCS method offer better control than the SACS method in terms of reducing the SLL. The CRLA-RSCS method achieved -82.6 dB, the CRLA-SACS of -60 dB, the UCARF-RSCS of -45 dB, the PCA-RSCS of -39 dB, and the RA-RSCS method of -35 dB, with the other subarrayed array methods achieving -30 dB. Regarding the null steering characteristic, the CRLA-SACS method achieved a better depth, reaching -150 dB, than the other clustered array tiling methods. In all the sternification configurations, the main beam was steered at a 30-degree angle and could be reconfigured as required. Therefore, the design of such antenna arrays makes them suitable for modern and future communication applications.

1. Mou, Lun Wei, Yu Jian Cheng, Ya Fei Wu, Ming Hua Zhao, and Hai Ning Yang, "Design for array-fed beam-scanning reflector antennas with maximum radiated power efficiency based on near-field pattern synthesis by support vector machine," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 70, No. 7, 5035-5043, 2022.
doi:10.1109/tap.2021.3111506 Google Scholar

2. Herd, Jeffrey S. and M. David Conway, "The evolution to modern phased array architectures," Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 104, No. 3, 519-529, 2016.
doi:10.1109/jproc.2015.2494879 Google Scholar

3. Sun, Jian Xu, Yu Jian Cheng, and Yong Fan, "Planar ultra-wideband and wide-scanning dual-polarized phased array with integrated coupled-Marchand balun for high polarization isolation and low cross-polarization," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 69, No. 11, 7134-7144, 2021.
doi:10.1109/tap.2021.3060136 Google Scholar

4. Low, Kevin Kai Wei, Samet Zihir, Tumay Kanar, and Gabriel M. Rebeiz, "A 27-31-GHz 1024-element Ka-band SATCOM phased-array transmitter with 49.5-dBW peak EIRP, 1-dB AR, and ±70° beam scanning," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 70, No. 3, 1757-1768, 2022.
doi:10.1109/tmtt.2021.3139911 Google Scholar

5. Sun, Geng, Yanheng Liu, Shuang Liang, Aimin Wang, and Ying Zhang, "Beam pattern design of circular antenna array via efficient biogeography-based optimization," AEU --- International Journal of Electronics and Communications, Vol. 79, 275-285, 2017.
doi:10.1016/j.aeue.2017.06.018 Google Scholar

6. Rocca, Paolo, Giacomo Oliveri, Robert J. Mailloux, and Andrea Massa, "Unconventional phased array architectures and design methodologies --- A review," Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 104, No. 3, 544-560, 2016.
doi:10.1109/jproc.2015.2512389 Google Scholar

7. Mou, Lun Wei, Jian Xu Sun, Hong Sheng Lin, Yong Fan, and Yu Jian Cheng, "Dictionary-based excitation matching convex optimization model for designing subarrayed feed array of beam-scanning reflector antenna," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 22, No. 12, 3112-3116, 2023.
doi:10.1109/lawp.2023.3310972 Google Scholar

8. Benoni, Arianna, Lorenzo Poli, Paolo Rocca, and Andrea Massa, "Design of clustered phased arrays by means of an innovative power pattern matching-driven method --- The linear array case," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 72, No. 5, 4185-4197, 2024.
doi:10.1109/tap.2024.3374226 Google Scholar

9. Morabito, Andrea Francesco, Tommaso Isernia, Maria Grazia Labate, Michele Durso, and Ovidio Mario Bucci, "Direct radiating arrays for satellite communications via aperiodic tilings," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 93, 107-124, 2009.
doi:10.2528/pier09040908 Google Scholar

10. Dong, Wei, Zhen-Hai Xu, Xing-Hua Liu, Luo-Sheng-Bin Wang, and Shun-Ping Xiao, "Irregular subarray tiling via heuristic iterative convex relaxation programming," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 68, No. 4, 2842-2852, 2020.
doi:10.1109/tap.2019.2955070 Google Scholar

11. Ma, Yankai, Quanyuan Feng, Qiuyan Jin, and Qianyin Xiang, "Wide-angle scanning design of irregular arrays based on unequal phase feeding," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 72, No. 5, 4129-4140, 2024.
doi:10.1109/tap.2024.3372553 Google Scholar

12. Lin, Hong Sheng, Lun Wei Mou, Cheng Jia Li, and Yu Jian Cheng, "A domino tiling method for circularly polarized subarrayed phased array antenna based on modified maximum-entropy model," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 72, No. 4, 3315-3324, 2024.
doi:10.1109/tap.2023.3331542 Google Scholar

13. Abdulqader, Ahmed Jameel, "Low complexity irregular clusters tiling through quarter region rotational symmetry," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 137, 81-91, 2023.
doi:10.2528/pierc23040604 Google Scholar

14. Abdulqader, Ahmed Jameel, Jafar Ramadhan Mohammed, and Yaser Ahmed Ali, "A T-shaped polyomino subarray design method for controlling sidelobe level," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 126, 243-251, 2022.
doi:10.2528/pierc22080803 Google Scholar

15. Mou, Lun Wei and Yu Jian Cheng, "Design of aperiodic subarrayed phased arrays with structural repetitiveness," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 70, No. 12, 11697-11706, 2022.
doi:10.1109/tap.2022.3209709 Google Scholar

16. Anselmi, Nicola, Luca Tosi, Paolo Rocca, Giovanni Toso, and Andrea Massa, "A self-replicating single-shape tiling technique for the design of highly modular planar phased arrays --- The case of L-shaped rep-tiles," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 71, No. 4, 3335-3348, 2023.
doi:10.1109/tap.2023.3243793 Google Scholar

17. Ibrahim, Nazik Hussein, Ahmed Jameel Abdulqader, and Jafar Ramadhan Mohammed, "Configuration of hybrid clustered structures in large planar arrays for optimizing beam pattern coverage," 2024 International Conference on Radar, Antenna, Microwave, Electronics, and Telecommunications (ICRAMET), 170-176, Bandung, Indonesia, 2024.
doi:10.1109/ICRAMET62801.2024.10809356

18. Wu, Yong, Yuanxin Li, Zhixi Liang, Shaoyong Zheng, and Yunliang Long, "Reflected sidelobe suppression for periodic leaky-wave antennas with gradient structure," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 24, No. 7, 1854-1858, 2025.
doi:10.1109/lawp.2025.3549444 Google Scholar

19. Zhu, Rongqiang, Jianxiong Zhou, Shiqi Chen, and Haiyang Ding, "A grating and sidelobe suppression algorithm for near-field sparse periodic MIMO array imaging," Remote Sensing Letters, Vol. 16, No. 3, 232-242, 2025.
doi:10.1080/2150704x.2024.2448305 Google Scholar

20. Wu, Zihong, Peng Wu, Wenxin Liu, and Zhaochuan Zhang, "Adaptive subarray partitioning for large-scale phased arrays using ISODATA," Electronics Letters, Vol. 61, No. 1, e70212, 2025.
doi:10.1049/ell2.70212 Google Scholar

21. Capozzoli, Amedeo, Claudio Curcio, Giuseppe D'Elia, and Angelo Liseno, "A technique for the array partitioning," Radio Science, Vol. 57, No. 10, 1-22, 2022.
doi:10.1029/2021rs007384 Google Scholar

22. Zhou, Jian, Yiqing Wang, Zhanling Wang, Chen Pang, Yongzhen Li, and Xuesong Wang, "Irregular subarray tiling via rotational symmetry," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 22, No. 4, 903-907, 2023.
doi:10.1109/lawp.2022.3228108 Google Scholar

23. Anselmi, Nicola, Paolo Rocca, Marco Salucci, and Andrea Massa, "Irregular phased array tiling by means of analytic schemata-driven optimization," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 65, No. 9, 4495-4510, 2017.
doi:10.1109/tap.2017.2722539 Google Scholar

Dr. Randa Yahya Hussein

Dr. Ahmed Jameel Abdulqader