Multibeam Transceiver with 4D Arrays Based on Single-Pole Multiple-Throw Switches

Abstract:
Time-modulated Arrays (TMAs) use radiofrequency switches to perform beam steering, standing out as a simple and cost-effective alternative to standard arrays using variable phase shifters. In this work, we consider the utilization of single-pole multiple-throw (SPMT) switches to synthesize the pulses which modulate the excitations of a TMA. These pulses are approximations of time-delayed sine waves and allow for an efficient beam steering over the first positive harmonic while guaranteeing a certain threshold level for the undesired harmonics, making the proposed TMA architectures particularly suitable for the design of multibeam transceivers. Besides the cost, the main advantages of multibeam TMA structures based on SPMT switched are the use of a single radio-frequency front-end for a multibeam transmitter (receiver) chain; the phase resolution of the beam scanning; and the fact that the performance of the antenna feeding network is conditioned to the signal bandwidth rather than the carrier frequency.