A Novel Low-Cost Frequency Diverse Array With Mirrored Two-Wave Mixing

Frequency diverse array (FDA) has been considered as a potential solution to improve radar performance, such as interference suppression and target detection. In this letter, we propose a low-cost implementation of FDA based on two-wave mixing technique. In this method, two linear frequency modulated continuous wave signals are propagating against each other, and their frequency differences caused by propagation delays are converted to a frequency offset in FDA through periodically mixing operation. The two-wave mixing-based FDA automatically creates a desired frequency distribution and phase correlation between the antennas and provides additional phase controlling capability. We also propose a mirrored two-wave mixing FDA, in which the waveform peak can be controlled to only propagate in desired directions.

Automated summary

Frequency diverse array (FDA) is a potential solution for improving radar performance. This study proposes a low-cost implementation of FDA using the two-wave mixing technique. The method involves propagating two linear frequency modulated continuous wave signals against each other, converting their frequency differences to a frequency offset in FDA through periodic mixing operations. The proposed FDA automatically generates a desired frequency distribution, phase correlation, and additional phase control capability. A mirrored two-wave mixing FDA is also introduced to control waveform propagation direction.