Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Microwave and Wireless Communications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 8639

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
The National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Interests: wideband array antennas; phased array antennas; millimeter-wave array antennas; microwave passive components

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Guest Editor
Department of Electronic Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
Interests: mmWave and terahertz antennas; MIMO antennas; ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas; UWB radar systems; hat-fed antennas; reflector antennas; computational electromagnetics
School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Interests: antenna arrays; microwave components; retrodirective antenna array

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Interests: phased array antenna; multimode antenna; circularly polarized antenna
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Electronic Engineering, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710122, China
Interests: artificial magnetic conductors; low RCS antennas; low-profile antennas; frequency selective surfaces

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of wireless systems, array antennas have attracted more and more interest due to the fact that they are critical and inevitable parts of systems. Wideband array antennas are widely used in the applications of 5G/6G base stations and point-to-point communication systems to provide fast data transfer. Phased array antennas with steering beams play a significant role in practical applications, such as 5G mm Wave handsets, mobile SATCOM terminals, radar, etc. However, it is still a challenge for array antennas to fulfill the requirements of various systems. Thus, many novel technologies, including meta-surfaces, tightly coupled methods, and gap waveguides are being employed along with array antennas to achieve innovative performances.

The aim of the Special Issue “Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems” is to seek innovative and scientific research on array antennas. In this Special Issue, both original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Ultra-wideband and wideband array antenna;
  • Phased array antenna;
  • Tightly coupled array antenna;
  • Multi-band array antenna;
  • Linearly/circularly polarized array antenna;
  • Full-metal array antenna;
  • Base station antenna;
  • Array antenna based on 3D-printed technique;
  • Millimeter-wave and Terahertz array antenna;
  • Array antenna based on gap waveguide;
  • Arrays for satellite communications;
  • Innovative array antennas for 5G and B5G applications.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Tianling Zhang
Prof. Dr. Jian Yang
Dr. Lei Chen
Dr. Zhongxun Liu
Dr. Xueyan Song
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • ultra-wideband
  • multi-band
  • millimeter-wave
  • satellite communications
  • tightly coupled
  • 3D-printed

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2322 KiB  
Article
Beampattern Synthesis and Optimization Method Based on Circular Frequency Diverse Array Engineering Model
by Wei Xu, Changyu Pei, Pingping Huang, Weixian Tan and Zhiqi Gao
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1618; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091618 - 24 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 681
Abstract
The frequency diverse array (FDA) is capable of generating range-angle-dependent beampatterns by introducing a tiny frequency offset to the transmit carrier frequency of each array element. However, the beam-scanning potential of conventional linear FDA applications is limited, notably in their incapacity for 360° omnidirectional [...] Read more.
The frequency diverse array (FDA) is capable of generating range-angle-dependent beampatterns by introducing a tiny frequency offset to the transmit carrier frequency of each array element. However, the beam-scanning potential of conventional linear FDA applications is limited, notably in their incapacity for 360° omnidirectional scanning. This paper introduces a method that leverages the geometric configuration of circular frequency diverse arrays (CFDAs) for synthesizing and optimizing beampatterns through a practical engineering approach. Initially, we compute the structural parameters and configurations of CFDA. Subsequently, the isophase plane is utilized to adjust the phase of each array element. Ultimately, the CFDA structure is used to optimize the non-uniform frequency offset, and the beampattern, which is capable of 360° omnidirectional scanning, is realized by low sidelobe optimization. Simulation results affirm that the CFDA antenna, as per the actual engineering model, possesses precise dot-shaped beampattern scanning abilities across both range and angle dimensions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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24 pages, 2393 KiB  
Article
A Multiobjective Array Beamforming Method for Arrays of Flexible Shape
by Chenfeng Meng, Yongwei Zhang, Murat Temiz and Ahmed El-Makadema
Electronics 2024, 13(4), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13040752 - 13 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1056
Abstract
High-performance beamforming incorporating multiple objectives for large-scale antenna arrays becomes increasingly important to improve the capacity and efficiency of wireless communication systems. The speed of synthesizing a desired beam pattern is critical in wireless communications systems to adapt to highly dynamic wireless channels. [...] Read more.
High-performance beamforming incorporating multiple objectives for large-scale antenna arrays becomes increasingly important to improve the capacity and efficiency of wireless communication systems. The speed of synthesizing a desired beam pattern is critical in wireless communications systems to adapt to highly dynamic wireless channels. A modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for synthesizing array beam patterns is proposed in this study. The initial positions of particles in PSO are designated following a Taylor distribution instead of being given uniformly distributed random values as in the classical PSO algorithm. The fitness functions are defined to include multiple objectives represented by producing multiple main lobes with customized deep and broadened nulls. Several scenarios have been established to examine the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with those of the ones based on the classical PSO. A significant performance improvement for obtaining beamforming coefficients has been achieved. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated further by applying it to a finite array on a curved surface for beamforming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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14 pages, 7272 KiB  
Communication
Design of a Compact Microstrip Decoupled Array
by Zibin Weng, Dan Yang and Kaibin Xue
Electronics 2023, 12(19), 4163; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12194163 - 7 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
A one-dimensional mono-pulse microstrip antenna plays an important role in target detection, tracking, recognition and imaging. However, feeding and coupling are the main reasons for the large size of the mono-pulse antenna, which is not conducive to miniaturization and integration. A miniaturized mono-pulse [...] Read more.
A one-dimensional mono-pulse microstrip antenna plays an important role in target detection, tracking, recognition and imaging. However, feeding and coupling are the main reasons for the large size of the mono-pulse antenna, which is not conducive to miniaturization and integration. A miniaturized mono-pulse antenna is proposed to reduce the size and improve the integration in antenna design. The proposed antenna has a more compact size and good isolation, with a well-maintained radiation pattern and zero depth. The antenna unit size is 0.19 λ0 × 0.19 λ0 × 0.006 λ0. The overall antenna size is 78 mm × 78 mm × 1.48 mm (0.63 λ0 × 0.63 λ0 × 0.0012 λ0). In this communication, a general decoupling feeding network for two-element microstrip array antennas is also designed. Experiment validations confirm that the operating frequency of the designed antenna system is at 2.45 GHz with a gain of 5.54 dBi. The return loss of the sum and difference ports is 16.14 dB and 15.2 dB, respectively. The isolation of the ports is 36.6 dB. The proposed miniaturized mono-pulse antenna is approximately 64% smaller in size compared to previous versions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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10 pages, 3561 KiB  
Communication
An Innovative Design of Isoflux Scanning Digital Phased Array Based on Completely Shared Subarray Architecture for Geostationary Satellites
by Muren Cai, Wentao Li, Xiaowei Shi, Qiaoshan Zhang, Heng Liu and Yan Li
Electronics 2023, 12(18), 3850; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12183850 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1098
Abstract
In this paper, we propose an innovative spaceborne isoflux scanning digital phased array (ISDPA) design with two-stage digital beamforming (DBF) for geostationary satellites. To achieve isoflux scanning, a novel technique is presented to obtain an isoflux beam for the ISDPA equivalent element using [...] Read more.
In this paper, we propose an innovative spaceborne isoflux scanning digital phased array (ISDPA) design with two-stage digital beamforming (DBF) for geostationary satellites. To achieve isoflux scanning, a novel technique is presented to obtain an isoflux beam for the ISDPA equivalent element using a DBF completely shared subarray architecture and the differential evolution (DE) algorithm. By reutilizing the radiating elements of adjacent subarrays, the radiation aperture and element number are augmented, enhancing the degrees of optimization freedom. To validate the proposed design, a linear ISDPA with 16 DBF completely shared subarrays is optimized and analyzed using two sets of excitation coefficients in different DBF stages. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed ISDPA can adaptively compensate for space loss variations during beam scanning for geostationary communications with low sidelobes better than −20 dB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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21 pages, 4227 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Antenna Spectrum Sensing Method Based on CEEMDAN Decomposition Combined with Wavelet Packet Analysis
by Suoping Li, Yuzhou Han, Jaafar Gaber, Sa Yang and Qian Yang
Electronics 2023, 12(18), 3823; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12183823 - 9 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2322
Abstract
In many practical communication environments, the presence of uncertain and hard-to-estimate noise poses significant challenges to cognitive radio spectrum sensing systems, especially when the noise distribution deviates from the Gaussian distribution. This paper introduces a cutting-edge multi-antenna spectrum sensing methodology that synergistically integrates [...] Read more.
In many practical communication environments, the presence of uncertain and hard-to-estimate noise poses significant challenges to cognitive radio spectrum sensing systems, especially when the noise distribution deviates from the Gaussian distribution. This paper introduces a cutting-edge multi-antenna spectrum sensing methodology that synergistically integrates complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), wavelet packet analysis, and differential entropy. Signal feature extraction commences by employing CEEMDAN decomposition and wavelet packet analysis to denoise signals collected by secondary antenna users. Subsequently, the differential entropy of the preprocessed signal observations serves as the feature vector for spectrum sensing. The spectrum sensing module utilizes the SVM classification algorithm for training, while incorporating elite opposition-based learning and the sparrow search algorithm with genetic variation to determine optimal kernel function parameters. Following successful training, a decision function is derived, which can obviate the need for threshold derivation present in conventional spectrum sensing methods. Experimental validation of the proposed methodology is conducted and comprehensively analyzed, conclusively demonstrating its remarkable efficacy in enhancing spectrum sensing performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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8 pages, 8374 KiB  
Communication
A Low-RCS 2D Multi-Layer Van Atta Array at X-Band
by Lei Chen, Mingjuan Qin, Lin Zou and Tianling Zhang
Electronics 2023, 12(16), 3486; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12163486 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1535
Abstract
This paper presents a novel approach to reducing radar cross section (RCS) using a 2D multi-layer Van Atta array based on the phase cancellation principle. By controlling the phase of transmission lines using wideband phase shifters, the proposed array can achieve significant RCS [...] Read more.
This paper presents a novel approach to reducing radar cross section (RCS) using a 2D multi-layer Van Atta array based on the phase cancellation principle. By controlling the phase of transmission lines using wideband phase shifters, the proposed array can achieve significant RCS reduction at a wide frequency range of 8 GHz to 11 GHz. Both theoretical calculations and experimental measurements were conducted to evaluate the performance of the Van Atta array with phase shifters. Results showed significant RCS reduction from various incident angles, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed design in achieving wideband RCS reduction at the X-band. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Array Antenna in Modern Wireless Systems)
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