Mainlobe beamwidth maximization for wide-beam array antenna with desired minimum power gain constraint

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of maximizing the beamwidth with array antenna giving the desired minimum power gain in the wide-beam mainlobe is addressed. Termed this problem as Mainlobe BeamWidth Maximization (MBWM). This paper, by optimizing the gain pattern instead of optimizing the beam pattern, first sets up the mathematical model for the MBWM problem. It comes out that the MBWM problem is non-convex, hence cannot be solved effectively in polynomial time. To simplify the solving processes, the MBWM problem, thereafter, is converted into a series of power gain pattern synthesis (PGPS) problems. The bisection strategy together with the processing procedures for the PGPS problem are utilized to design an iterative algorithm to solve the MBWM problem. Numerical simulations compared with the existing methods which optimize the beam pattern are carried out.

Keywords:

• Array pattern synthesis
• beamwidth maximization
• convex optimization
• wide-beam mainlobe

Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants U20B2043 and 62001095.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 One typical geostationary satellite multimedia receiving is shown in Figure 1. The satellite is in the geostationary orbit. Vehicles installed with the array antenna could be distributed in different altitude areas, and randomly move on the road. Hence, the receiving array antenna is expected to have a wide-beam mainlobe to direct to the satellite.

2 Beam pattern is independent on the total efficiency of array element (set ${\eta }_n=1$ in $P_{\mathrm{above}}$ for the SBPS problems). However, after obtaining the array weight which yields the optimal beam pattern, i.e. ${\mathbf{w}}_{\mathrm{opt}}$, the array power gain is also comprehensively decided by ${\mathbf{w}}_{\mathrm{opt}}$ and the related total efficiency $\mathit{\eta }$.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [62001095,U20B2043].

Notes on contributors

Shiwen Lei

Shiwen Lei (M'16) received the B.S. degree in information and computing science from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, 2007; the M.S. degree in communication and information systems from Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET), Nanjing, China, 2010; and the Ph.D degree in Signal and Information processing from UESTC, Chengdu, China, 2015. He worked as a post doctorate in Lund University from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2017, majoring on the sparse signal sampling and recovering. He worked as a post doctorate in UESTC from Nov. 2017 to Mar. 2020, majoring on the array antenna theory and methods. He is currently working as an associate research Fellow with the School of Electronic Science and Technology in UESTC, majoring on the array antenna. He has published about 40 journal and conference papers. His current research interests include adaptive signal processing, array antenna theory, sparse signal processing, etc.

Haoquan Hu

Haoquan Hu received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronic engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, in 1984 and 1989, respectively. From 2001, he worked as a professor with the school of Electronic Science and Engineering in UESTC. He has published more than 70 journal and conference papers. As the chief editor, he has published 4 monographs on electromagnetic and microwave theory and technology, and electromagnetic compatibility measurement. His research interests include electromagnetic compatibility of electric equipment, array antenna theory, and electromagnetic and microwave theory, etc.

Bo Chen

Bo Chen received his B.S. degree from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). He is currently an associate professor in UESTC and his research interests involve microwave and millimeter wave measurement, antenna design, electromagnetic compatibility and protection, etc.

Jing Tian

Jing Tian received the M.S. degree from Tampere University of Technology, Finland, and Ph.D. degree from Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. He is currently a lecturer in University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) and his research interests include graphene and other 2D materials based electromagnetic devices and field-effect transistors, microwave measurement, plasma characterization, electromagnetic compatibility and protection, etc.

Ziyuan He

Ziyuan He received the B.S. degree from wireless department of Sichuan University, 1993; the M.S. degree in theory physics from Sichuan University, 1999; and the Ph.D degree in Signal and Information processing from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China, 2012. He is currently working as an associate professor with the School of Electronic Science and Technology in UESTC, majoring on the array antenna. His current research interests include adaptive signal processing, array antenna theory, sparse signal processing, etc.

Pu Tang

Pu Tang received his M.S. degree from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). He is currently a professor in UESTC and his research interests involve microwave and millimeter wave measurement, plasma characterization, antenna design, electromagnetic compatibility, etc.

Xiangdong Qiu

Xiangdong Qiu received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronic engineering from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China, in 1990 and 1998, respectively. From 1999 to 2008, he worked as the vice chairman of Datang Mobile Communication Equipment. Co., Ltd, in chief of the engineering management on GSM system in China. He is one of the principal chief managers who participated in the standardization, industrialization and marketization of China's 3rd generation mobile communication international standard TD-SCDM. Since 2015, he is the chief operating officer (COO) of Global Vision Media Technology Co., Ltd. As the principal director, he has participated in the formulation of a series of industrial and national standards. He has been authorized more than 20 patents. His main research interests includes the array antenna and microwave theory and technology, etc.