Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a new method for antenna array design that enables the direction of signal transmission and/or reception to remain fixed as the operating frequency changes.
The functionality is useful for frequency-hopping communication applications to maintain the communications link when the transmitting frequency changes. For instance, this technology is important for RADAR applications in order to maintain contact with the target object under the same conditions.
The fixed beam pointing functionality can be achieved using current technology through either a corporate array feed or the use of electronic beam steering circuitry.
This new technology uses a series-feed architecture that is less complex and more compact than the corporate feed approach. Electronic beam steering has similar challenges, with the additional complication of requiring DC power to operate.
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