Demonstration of shifter-less beam steering in an ultra-wide bandwidth array antenna using synchronized chaos

Jonathan N. Blakely; Billy R. Reed; Ned J. Corron; Mark T. Stahl; Krishna Myneni

doi:10.1117/12.850153

26 April 2010 Demonstration of shifter-less beam steering in an ultra-wide bandwidth array antenna using synchronized chaos

Jonathan N. Blakely, Billy R. Reed, Ned J. Corron, Mark T. Stahl, Krishna Myneni

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7669, Radar Sensor Technology XIV; 76690Q (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850153
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We demonstrate a new method for electronic beam steering in ultra-wide bandwidth array antennas based on synchronized chaos. Chaotic oscillators generate random-like waveforms that may be well-suited for highly unconventional ultra-wideband radar and spread-spectrum communication applications. The broadband and nonrepeating nature of chaos provides an ideal combination of high range resolution with no range ambiguity. Unlike true random sources, coupled chaotic oscillators can synchronize for coherent power combining. To steer the array, a small detuning is applied to each oscillator to slightly shift its natural frequency. Oscillators that are tuned to run faster will lead those tuned slower, providing a small time shift between the waveforms produced by each oscillator. The approach avoids the need for costly phase shifters or tunable true time delay elements. Our demonstration system consists of a linear array of four directionally coupled radio frequency chaotic oscillators, each of which produces a broadband waveform centered at 137 MHz. Each individual oscillator feeds one of four discone-type antennas spaced a third of a wavelength apart. We present far-field power level measurements characterizing beam formation and steering recorded on an outdoor test range. Our results suggest chaotic arrays could enable a new generation of low-cost, highperformance, ultra-wide bandwidth applications.

Citation Download Citation

Jonathan N. Blakely, Billy R. Reed, Ned J. Corron, Mark T. Stahl, and Krishna Myneni "Demonstration of shifter-less beam steering in an ultra-wide bandwidth array antenna using synchronized chaos", Proc. SPIE 7669, Radar Sensor Technology XIV, 76690Q (26 April 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850153

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available