Analog beamforming using time-modulated arrays with digitally preprocessed rectangular sequences

Abstract: Conventional time-modulated arrays are based on the application of variable-width periodical rectangular pulses (easily implemented with radio frequency switches) to the individual antenna excitations. However, a serious bottleneck arises when the number of exploited harmonic beams increases. In this context, the modest windowing features of the rectangular pulses produce an inflexible and ineffective harmonic beamforming. The use of other pulses, such as sum of weighted cosines, partially solves these issues at the expense of introducing additional non-timing variables. We propose the discrete-time preprocessing of rectangular pulses before being applied to the antenna to accomplish an agile, efficient, and accurate harmonic beamforming, while keeping the simplicity of the hardware structure.