Direction finding BAVA array with integrated communications antenna system and related method

摘要

A system and related method is disclosed including a symmetrical array of Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) elements. Within the array a plurality of dual polarization sub-arrays comprised of individual BAVA elements oriented in a first polarization and individual BAVA elements oriented in a second polarization. The plurality of sub-arrays maintains low mutual coupling and cross polarization rejection between sub-arrays within the array and between elements within the sub-array. As a signal is received by each of the individual BAVA elements, signals from each first polarized BAVA element and each second polarized BAVA element of a sub-array are combined to produce a single signal of the first polarization and a single signal of the second polarization per sub-array. A DF processor receives the two signals and determines the angle of arrival of the signal. A communications link within the array sends and receives information and commands for array operation.

主权项

1. A system for determining a direction of arrival of a signal, comprising:
a plurality of Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) elements, the plurality of BAVA elements structured in an array; an active dual polarization sub-array of the plurality of BAVA elements within the array, the active dual polarization sub-array including a first set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in a first polarization and a first set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in a second polarization, the second polarization being orthogonal to the first polarization, the first set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in the first polarization and the first set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in the second polarization being adjacent to each other; a plurality of guarded dual polarization sub-arrays of the plurality of BAVA elements within the array, each of the plurality of dual polarization sub-arrays including a second set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in the first polarization and a second set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in the second polarization, the second set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in the first polarization and the second set of at least four BAVA elements oriented in a second polarization being adjacent to each other, and each of the plurality of guarded dual polarization sub-arrays including a dual polarization sub-array and a BAVA guard element adjacent thereto; a combiner circuit of the first polarization configured for receiving an output from the BAVA elements oriented in the first polarization and combining the output to produce a combined signal of the first polarization; a combiner circuit of the second polarization configured for receiving an output from the BAVA elements oriented in the second polarization and combining the output to produce a combined signal of the second polarization; a processor configured for:
receiving an input including the combined signal of the first polarization and the combined signal of the second polarization;determining a direction of arrival of the signal based on the input; andtransmitting the determined direction of arrival to one of: a display and a communications link.