Quantization Error Reduction for the Phased Array with 2-bit Phase Shifter

Abstract

It has been widely believed that phased array antenna should use at least 3-bit (as phase controlling bit) phase shifter to provide the satisfactory scanning capability and the unnoticeable parasitic sidelobes. In this paper, we proposed a novel phase perturbation method, namely, virtual feed approach, derived from the general concept of the phase randomization, to improve the performance for the low-cost electronic scanning antennas with 2-bit phase shifters. By using this method, problems of scanning error at small scanning angle as well as the relatively high parasitic sidelobes at large scanning angle are solved simultaneously at acceptable performance degradation.

Discrete Optimization Problems of Linear Array Synthesis by Using Real Number Particle Swarm Optimization

“…Pattern synthesis for array achieved by controlling the phase of array elements is a problem being widely researched [14,15,17]. As for phase array, the excitation amplitudes of each array elements are the same, which decreases the production cost and excitation error.…”

“…As for excitation amplitude and phase of array elements, accurate feed network is required for continuous adjustment, which increases the cost and complexity of the array [2]. In order to simplify the feed network, continuous adjustment for the excitation amplitude and phase of array elements can be adjusted as discrete adjustment, such as array thinning technology adopted for pattern synthesis by controlling the on/off status of elements [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], phase array technology adopting N-bit digital phase shifter [14][15][16][17], and pattern synthesis combining array thinning and unequally spaced array [9,18] etc.…”

Multiobjective Synthesis of Linear Arrays by Using an Improved Genetic Algorithm

“…To simplify the feed network of the array, discrete adjustment, instead of continuous adjustment, of the excitation amplitude and phase of the array elements can be carried out. The simple constructions can apply a thinned array by controlling the switch of the elements [10][11][12][13][14] and phase array with the use of an -bit digital phase shifter [15][16][17] or some other device.…”

“…Phased arrays are considered to be the best solution in beam scanning and widely used in engineering [7,[15][16][17]20]. With the advance in technology, digital phase shifters are now widely used in phased arrays to provide beam scanning and interference suppression [24].…”

How coarse is too coarse in electrically large reflectarray smart antennas?

“…A smart antenna needs to incorporate a reconfiguration mechanism to steer its radiated beam towards the intended direction. At mm-wave bands where real estate becomes a constraint in antennas, it is necessary to simplify the reconfiguration mechanism while preserving an acceptable antenna performance [1].…”