In an apparatus and method for controlling an array antenna including a predetermined plurality of M antenna elements arranged in a predetermined arrangement configuration, beam electric field strengths of a plurality of N beams of transmitting signals are calculated, and then signals representing the calculated beam electric field strengths equal to or larger than a threshold value are outputted. Thereafter, based on the outputted signals, there are calculated a plurality of N weight coefficients for the receiving signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of N beams of transmitting signals, such that a main beam of the array antenna is directed toward an incoming direction of a desired radio wave and also a level of the receiving signal in an incoming direction of an unnecessary radio wave are made zero. Further, based on the calculated plurality of N weight coefficients and a transmitting frequency of the transmitting signals, there is calculated at least either one of a plurality of M amounts of phase shift and a plurality of M amounts of amplitudes for the transmitting signals, and then the antenna elements are controlled in accordance with at least one of the calculated amplitude and phase data, thereby radiating the controlled transmitting signals therefrom.
In accordance with the invention, the digital samples associated with each of the array elements arranged along a plurality of parallel lines are shifted by a distinct predetermined number of positions along each of said lines, and the digital samples of each line are added separately. Thereafter, each sum thus obtained is multiplied by a distinct phase coefficient. The signals thus obtained for each beam are all in phase. The lines of array elements that are electronically scanned can be oriented along any direction, and advantageously along one or a plurality of diagonals of the array and the electronic scanning of the array elements can be made separately along odd alternate diagonals and along even alternate diagonals.
A multi-panel phased array antenna architecture and signal processing subsystem combines baseband outputs of multiple carrier demodulators associated with respective phased array panels prior to bit-decision processing at baseband for data and clock recovery. The baseband bit decisions are fed back to control the operation of the carrier recovery loops of the demodulators. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio in the carrier recovery loops and allows near theoretical system operation at lower signal-to-noise ratios than would otherwise be achievable.
Gain control is performed on an input signal to an orthogonal modulator used in a radio transmitting apparatus in such a manner that the level of the input signal falls within the proper operation range of the orthogonal modulator. At the time of amplifying and outputting the output of the orthogonal modulator, gain control is executed with the reciprocal of a control gain for the input signal to the orthogonal modulator. Accordingly, the input to the orthogonal modulator of an adaptive array antenna can be compensated within the proper range to ensure the proper operation of the orthogonal modulator.
A method for detecting fixed or moving objects within an angular zone, as may be used in vehicle anti-collision systems, employs separate and distinct transmission and reception patterns. The transmission pattern successively illuminates consecutive segments of the angular zone. The reception pattern receives echo signals in parallel from illuminated objects in each zone segment. The echo signals are then digitally beam formed into a total field signal. The angular positions of the detected objects are then derived from the total field signal.
In an apparatus for adaptively controlling an array antenna of M antenna elements, a multi-beam forming circuit calculates N beam field strengths in a known manner, and a beam selecting circuit selectively outputs beam field strengths not smaller than a predetermined threshold value by comparing the N beam field strengths with the threshold value. At least two adaptive control processors calculate N weight coefficients corresponding to N beams according to a constant modulus algorithm, respectively multiplies the calculated beam field strengths by the calculated N weight coefficients, and combines in phase respective signals of multiplication results, outputting the combined signal as a reception signal. In an initial state of one adaptive control processor, a weight coefficient thereof corresponding to the maximum beam field strength is set to a predetermined initial value not zero, and weight coefficients corresponding to the other beam field strengths are set to zero. In an initial state of the other adaptive control processor, a weight coefficient of the other adaptive control processor corresponding to at least a beam field strength having the second greater level is set to the initial value, and weight coefficients corresponding to the other beam field strengths is set to zero.
