Fast Multinull Steering of Antenna Array

In this letter, a fast multinull steering technique is demonstrated by a linearly polarized linear antenna array. The new technique is based on the electric fields generated by each antenna element on a far-field arc of the antenna array, which are extracted in advance by simulation or measurement. The power transmission efficiency is used as the performance index to control the pattern nulls. By solving a matrix eigenvalue equation, in which the matrix is made up by selecting the corresponding electric fields on different positions on the arc standing for the null directions, the eigenvector corresponding to the zero eigenvalue is identified and used as the optimized distribution of excitations (ODEs) for the antenna array. Single-null and multinull patterns are tested from the ODEs and the results indicate that the number and directions of the multiple nulls can be controlled in the elevation space. The simulated and measured 2-D null patterns are shown in good agreement.

Automated summary

This letter demonstrates a fast multinull steering technique using a linearly polarized linear antenna array. The technique utilizes the electric fields generated by each antenna element on a far-field arc of the array, which are extracted in advance through simulation or measurement. By solving a matrix eigenvalue equation, the optimized distribution of excitations (ODEs) for the antenna array is obtained, allowing control over the number and directions of multiple nulls in the elevation space. The simulated and measured 2-D null patterns show good agreement.