abstract

• This paper proposes an alternative and innovative way to design a simpler beamforming network (BFN) based on balancing alternated power combiners and dividers, to feed a nonuniformly spaced linear array with Gaussian amplitude and coherent (in-phase) signals. Thus, a two-beam design configuration of the feeding network for a nonuniform array with beam steering capability is proposed and analyzed. The nonuniform aperture and the complex inputs of the feeding network are optimized by means of a differential evolution algorithm. In addition, a comparative analysis between a uniform and nonuniform linear array with the proposed feeding network is performed. Simulation results show the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed feeding network exploiting the nonuniformity of the antenna elements, in terms of side lobe level and directivity. Furthermore, research results show an inherent reduction in hardware complexity of the network. © 2015 Armando Arce et al.

authors

• Arce A.
• Covarrubias-Rosales D.H.
• Cárdenas Juárez Marco Aurelio
• Pineda Rico Ulises
• Stevens Navarro Enrique

publication date

• 2015-01-01

published in

• International Journal of Antennas and Propagation  Journal

keywords

• Antenna arrays; Antenna feeders; Array processing; Beamforming; Complex networks; Evolutionary algorithms; Feeding; Gaussian beams; Optimization; Beamforming networks (BFN); Comparative analysis; Differential evolution algorithms; Hardware complexity; Multiple beam-forming; Non-uniform linear arrays; Nonuniform arrays; Research results; Beam forming networks

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1155/2015/757989

start page

end page

volume

• 2015