Distributed Subarray Antennas for Multifunction Phased-Array Radar

Abstract

As the target radar cross section (RCS) continuously decreases, the need for high-resolution high-gain radar increases, One approach to high resolution is to use distributed subarray antennas (DSAs), because of limited surface available on many radar platforms. The concept of distributed subarray antennas is examined for both Multifunction Array Radar (MFAR) and Very High Frequency (VHF) applications. By combining distributed subarrays located on the available areas of a constrained platforms, the MFAR and VHF DSA can achieve increased resolution and potential reductions in cost and complexity compared to a conventional array. The two-way pattern design of DSA effectively suppresses the undesired grating lobes by using separate transmit and receive antennas. By the pattern multiplication principle, the grating lobes in the receive pattern have been suppressed by proper null placement of subarray in the receive and transmit patterns.