Time-Modulated Array Pattern for Sidelobe Blanking in Spectrometry and Radar

Abstract

Time modulation is applied to an array pattern by alternating a beamformer between two sets of beamforming coefficients. The coefficients are selected so signals arriving in the sidelobes are BPSK modulated by the beam switching, while signals arriving in the main lobe are not. This technique permits sidelobe blanking using a single beamformer, which is simpler than other approaches. Methods of array synthesis are presented along with a simulation example using a 32-element linear array.