Multilevel Subarray Modularization to Construct Hierarchical Beamforming Networks for Phased Array of Antennas With Low Complexity

A multilevel subarray RF modularization technique is presented to construct a hierarchical beamforming network (BFN) for phased array of antennas. In contrast to the conventional BFN architecture, which feeds each antenna element by using individual set of RF devices, the restructured RF modules may...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation 2017-11, Vol.65 (11), p.5819-5828
Main Authors: Chou, Hsi-Tseng, Huang, Hao-Ju
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antenna feeds
Antenna radiation patterns
Hierarchical beamforming network (BFN)
phased array of antennas
Phased arrays
Radio frequency
RF modularization
subarray decomposition
Wires
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Summary:A multilevel subarray RF modularization technique is presented to construct a hierarchical beamforming network (BFN) for phased array of antennas. In contrast to the conventional BFN architecture, which feeds each antenna element by using individual set of RF devices, the restructured RF modules may simplify the BFN architecture. They may dramatically reduce the cost without significantly sacrificing the radiation performance. In this technique, the RF devices to feed antenna elements are subdivided into groups for modularization. Each module is formed by very few elements of RF devices to form a multilevel BFN, where the number of RF elements in each module are the integer factors of array size. Each module at the same layer consists of identical RF structures to minimize the mass manufacture cost. In this paper, the theoretical foundation is developed to provide design guidelines. Examination of radiation discrepancy is also investigated to demonstrate the feasibility and validate the proposed technique.
ISSN:0018-926X
1558-2221
DOI:10.1109/TAP.2017.2751657