Sidelobe Reductions in Linear Array Antennas Using Electronically Displaced Phase Center Antenna Technique

A novel approach to sidelobe reduction in uniformly-excited, equally-spaced linear arrays using the electronically displaced phase center antenna (E-DPCA) technique is presented for the first time. Antenna elements with the E-DPCA capability are employed in nine- and 21-element linear array antennas for the proof of concept. The element spacing of these physically periodic arrays is electronically tapered by displacing the phase center location, and thus the relative coordinates, of the base elements to reduce the sidelobe and minor lobe levels. Compared to the pre-existing synthesis techniques, the proposed technique provides not only comparable sidelobe reductions but also an additional capability of adaptively changing the array configuration to generate desired patterns without any physical means, while maintaining the same overall array length.