A Beam Tracking System - System Implementation and Analysis Incorporating Electromagnetic Field Simulation

Authors: Ruey-Bing Hwang

Source: FERMAT, Volume 20, Communication 8, Mar-Apr., 2017


Abstract: The beam-tracking (or direction finding) system based on the mono-pulse radar principle was developed in this research. Unlike the commonly used analog architecture, the digital (or baseband) beam-forming architecture is developed to scan the direction (angle) of arrival without the need of mechanical steering components. The two independent receivers down- convert the RF signal into baseband I and Q ones. By manipulating the time delay (phase angle) between the two channels dynamically and calculated the Δ/Σ (difference over sum) of the two complex baseband signals. The null of the Δ/Σ corresponds to the angle of arrival. Additionally, the receiving-mode mutual coupling between the antennas was also taken into account based on the full-wave simulation for further improving the angle resolution of this system.

Index Terms: Beam-tracking, mono-pulse radar, beam-steering


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A Beam Tracking System - System Implementation and Analysis Incorporating Electromagnetic Field Simulation