Synthesis of 3-Pol Low-Cost Phased Arrays via Element Polarization Optimization

Abstract

A novel element polarization optimization and phase quantization technique is proposed for the low-cost synthesis of three polarizations from active phased arrays. The horizontally (H) and vertically (V) polarized element ports are optimally combined with a fixed phase shift between them. For algorithm demonstration, pattern constraints for H, V, and an arbitrary third polarization, left-handed circular polarization (LHCP), are embedded in the goal function in a 16 by 16 array. It is demonstrated that including the LHCP in the optimization significantly improves its gain and side lobe levels, compared to when it is not included, at the cost of a slight reduction in the gain of the H/V polarized patterns. The side lobe and cross-polarization levels of H/V polarized patterns remain similar.