Review Reports - Design of Irregularly Distributed Antenna Array towards Smart 6G Networks

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Reviews

The topic “Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks” presented in the paper is novel one and it will add improvements in the existing system for future generation. Also, the method/technique satisfies the paper’s significance. But the following comments must be reported to fulfill the review criteria.

· Extra dashes added in the abstract in the word (vol-ume-area integral equations (VSIE)).

· There is a mistake in line 34,

· In the subsection 2.1, two ultra-wideband arrays used with different frequencies.

· The abbreviations are not properly defined, that will affect to the readers such as FSLL,

· The correct abbreviation of MLFMA is multi-level fast multipole algorithm instead of multi-layer fast multipole (MLFMA). Also, for VSIE, volume surface integral equation instead of volume-area integral equations (VSIE).

· After the ultra-wideband array, a total of 1470 subarray directional maps need to be calculated, for the same scenario K/Ka array, same number of subarrays directional maps need to be calculated. What is meant by the K/Ka? Is this the frequency band or anything else.

· Every abbreviation should be defined firstly in a text where it is used instead of later in text such as ISA.

· SHE is an abbreviation of Spherical Harmonic Expansion or Scientific Harmonie Expansion? First, SHE used in text and the second one in Figure 1, but both have the same phenomena, to reduce storage memory.

· In line 205, differentiate kB and k_B,if same then please correct.

· Improve the graph quality, if printed, results graph can not be readable, add curve markers to differentiate the graphs readable for readers.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1’s Comments

Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks (electronics-1907938)

We thank the editor and all the reviewers for their careful reviews and valuable comments that have helped us improve the quality of the manuscript. In the following, we address all the valuable comments and suggestions from the reviewers and the editor. The text in overstriking and italic denotes the comments and suggestions by the reviewers and editor. According to the comments of the reviewer, we have revised our manuscript carefully. We hope that our revision can meet the comments well.

Reviewer 1: Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic “Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks” presented in the paper is novel one and it will add improvements in the existing system for future generation. Also, the method/technique satisfies the paper’s significance. But the following comments must be reported to fulfill the review criteria.

Comments:

(1) Extra dashes added in the abstract in the word (vol-ume-area integral equations (VSIE)).

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified this extra dashes mistake in the revised manuscript as follows,

“……the fast electromagnetic code of the multi-layer fast multipole (MLFMA) based on volume-area integral equations (VSIE) is used to simulate the radiation characteristics of the irregular distributed antenna arrays……”

(2) There is a mistake in line 34

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified the mistake in line 34 in the revised manuscript as follows,

“……computing, storage and communications towards smart 6G networks [3]. Phased array antennas……”

(3) In the subsection 2.1, two ultra-wideband arrays used with different frequencies.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. In this paper, we adopt the design method of distributed array. Each array is composed of multiple subarrays, one is 2-18GHz, and the other is 26-40GHz. Then, in the subsection 2.1, two ultra-wideband arrays are used with different frequencies. In the calculation, two cases are considered: one is the case where the subarray does not have the unit-level phase modulation capability, i.e., the maximum radiation direction map of the subarray always points to the side emission direction; the other is the case where the subarray has the unit-level phase modulation capability in the direction per-pendicular to the bullet axis, i.e., the subarray has scanning capability in the H- plane.

(4) The abbreviations are not properly defined, that will affect to the readers such as FSLL.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. The abbreviation FSLL is stand for first-range side lobe level. We have added the definition in the revised manuscript, as follows,

“Large antenna arrays have been widely used because of their advantages such as high beam directivity and low First-range Side Lobe Level (FSLL)”

(5) The correct abbreviation of MLFMA is multi-level fast multipole algorithm instead of multi-layer fast multipole (MLFMA). Also, for VSIE, volume surface integral equation instead of volume-area integral equations (VSIE).

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified all these errors in the revised manuscript.

“the fast electromagnetic code of the multi-level fast multipole (MLFMA) based on volume surface integral equations (VSIE) is used to simulate the radiation characteristics of the irregular distributed antenna arrays.”

(6) After the ultra-wideband array, a total of 1470 subarray directional maps need to be calculated, for the same scenario K/Ka array, same number of subarrays directional maps need to be calculated. What is meant by the K/Ka? Is this the frequency band or anything else.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. The K/Ka is the frequency band in this paper. In this paper, we adopt the design method of distributed array. Each array is composed of multiple subarrays, one is 2-18GHz, and the other is 26-40GHz. The 26-40GHz based array is the K/Ka array.

(7) Every abbreviation should be defined firstly in a text where it is used instead of later in text such as ISA.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified all these kinds of mistakes in the revised manuscript, as follows,

“then the amplitude and phase of the subarray excitation are obtained using the improved simulated annealing (ISA) algorithm to optimize the directional map of the subarray with scanning capability in the H-plane“

(8) SHE is an abbreviation of Spherical Harmonic Expansion or Scientific Harmonie Expansion? First, SHE used in text and the second one in Figure 1, but both have the same phenomena, to reduce storage memory.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. SHE is stand for Spherical Harmonic Expansion, which is used to reduce storage memory.

(9) In line 205, differentiate kB and kB, if same then please correct.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. ?_? is the Boltzmann constant, the . We have correct the mistake in the revised manuscript.

(10) Improve the graph quality, if printed, results graph can not be readable, add curve markers to differentiate the graphs readable for readers.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified the graphs in the revised manuscript to make them readable.

Thank you for your good comments again. It is helpful for us to improve the manuscript. We look forward to hearing from you regarding our submission. We would be glad to respond to any further questions and comments that you may have.

Yours sincerely

Kunye Wang , Zheng Ma , Yao Zhao * , Yunkai Deng , Yunhua Luo , Mang He , Haitao Xu

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have presented an irregular antenna array for 6G networks.
The novelty of the proposed work is highly questionable. Numerous research articles have been presented in existing literature related to address irregular and imbalanced amplitude weighting and beam scanning applications. Moreover, a practical demonstration of proposed work is also missing. Only simulated results are presented in the paper.
Also, Fig. 5 - Fig. 11 have X axis written in language which is not understandable to readers.
Therefore, authors may practically demonstrate the work to enhance its chances of acceptance in this high IF journal. Proof reading of the article for grammar and typos is also required.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2’s Comments

Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks (electronics-1907938)

Reviewer 2: Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have presented an irregular antenna array for 6G networks.

Comments:

(1) The novelty of the proposed work is highly questionable. Numerous research articles have been presented in existing literature related to address irregular and imbalanced amplitude weighting and beam scanning applications. Moreover, a practical demonstration of proposed work is also missing. Only simulated results are presented in the paper.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. In the revised manuscript, we have added more practical demonstration of the proposed work to prove the novelty of the proposed work, which are given as follows,

“……The antenna arrays are modeled as shown in Fig. 2(a) and (b), respectively, and the physical picture and test status of array antenna are given in Fig. 2(c) and (d), respectively. The electric field polarization directions of both arrays are consistent with the direction of the elastic axis (x-direction), and the two sub-arrays are arranged in the array as shown in Fig. 3 (a) and (c). It can be seen that the E surface is the xoz surface and the H surface is the yoz surface. The practical test environment and the related results are also given in Fig. 3 (b) and (d) to prove the novelty of the proposed method.……”

(2) Also, Fig. 5 - Fig. 11 have X axis written in language which is not understandable to readers.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified all these mistakes in the revised manuscript.

(3) Therefore, authors may practically demonstrate the work to enhance its chances of acceptance in this high IF journal.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have modified the main manuscript based on the comments and provide more practical results using the practical test in the revised manuscript.

(4) Proof reading of the article for grammar and typos is also required.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. We have read the whole paper and corrected and modified all the grammar and typos in the revised manuscript.

Yours sincerely

Kunye Wang , Zheng Ma , Yao Zhao * , Yunkai Deng , Yunhua Luo , Mang He , Haitao Xu

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

File attached

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3’s Comments

Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks (electronics-1907938)

Reviewer 3: Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I therefore find that this article may be published without changes.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper.

Yours sincerely

Kunye Wang , Zheng Ma , Yao Zhao * , Yunkai Deng , Yunhua Luo , Mang He , Haitao Xu

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have revised the manuscript. However, I strongly feel that the novelty of proposed work is still QUESTIONABLE. I don't see any significant contribution to research community. Similarly, the practical demonstrated work needs alot of improvement in terms of graphs quality and figures.
I would like to urge authors to make the paper concise and highlight the significance of work that it adds to research community.
Also, there are still several typos and grammatical mistake found in the manuscript.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2’s Comments

Design of Irregular Distributed Antenna Array Towards Smart 6G Networks (electronics-1907938)

Reviewer 2: Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments:

(1) The authors have revised the manuscript. However, I strongly feel that the novelty of proposed work is still QUESTIONABLE. I don't see any significant contribution to research community. Similarly, the practical demonstrated work needs a lot of improvement in terms of graphs quality and figures. I would like to urge authors to make the paper concise and highlight the significance of work that it adds to research community.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments which improve the quality of our paper. This paper presents a novel design of an irregular distributed antenna array for smart 6G networks. Firstly, to solve the problem of fast amplitude and phase distribution of conformal arrays, the fast electromagnetic code of the multi-level fast multipole (MLFMA) based on volume surface integral equations (VSIE) is used to simulate the radiation characteristics of the irregular distributed antenna arrays. Secondly, another stochastic global optimization algorithm, Simulated Annealing (SA), has been widely used to solve multi-scale nonlinear problems. Finally, the antenna arrays are modeled and simulated. The performance of the proposed antenna array is given by simulation results and tests, where the physical picture and test status of the designed array antenna are also given. I think the novelty of the proposed work is acceptable. The contributions of this work is the supplement to this research area.

(2) Also, there are still several typos and grammatical mistakes found in the manuscript.

Response: Thank you for recognizing our contributions and your valuable comments, which improve the quality of our paper. We have read the whole paper, and re-corrected all the grammar and typos in the revised manuscript.

Yours sincerely

Kunye Wang , Zheng Ma , Yao Zhao * , Yunkai Deng , Yunhua Luo , Mang He , Haitao Xu

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have revised the manuscript and highlighted the contributions they made.

The paper is accepted.