An Optimal Beamforming Algorithm for Phased-Array Antennas Used in Multi-Beam Spaceborne Radiometers
Paper in proceeding, 2015

Strict requirements for future spaceborne ocean missions using multi-beam radiometers call for new antenna technologies, such as digital beamforming phased arrays. In this paper, we present an optimal beamforming algorithm for phasedarray antenna systems designed to operate as focal plane arrays (FPA) in push-broom radiometers. This algorithm is formulated as an optimization procedure that maximizes the beam efficiency, while minimizing the side-lobe and cross- Polarization power in the area of Earth, subject to a constraint on the beamformer dynamic range. The proposed algorithm is applied to a FPA feeding a torus reflector antenna (designed under the contract with the European Space Agency) and tested for multiple beams. The results demonstrate an improved performance in terms of the optimized beam characteristics, yielding much higher spatial and radiometric resolution as well as much closer distance to coast, as compared to the present-day systems.

radiometer

reflector antenna

phase array feed

Author

Oleg Iupikov

Chalmers, Signals and Systems, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Marianna Ivashina

Chalmers, Signals and Systems, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Katrine Pontoppidan

TICRA

P. Nielsen

TICRA

C. Cappellin

TICRA

N. Skou

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

S. S. Søbjærg

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

A. Ihle

HPS GmbH

D. Hartmann

HPS GmbH

K.V. 'T Klooster

European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA ESTEC)

9th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, EuCAP 2015, Lisbon, Portugal, 13-17 May 2015

7228764
978-889070185-6 (ISBN)

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

Subject Categories

Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

ISBN

978-889070185-6

More information

Latest update

8/23/2019