Phase center motion based time modulated arrays with preprocessed time schemes for selective harmonic beamforming in <scp>B5G</scp> communication systems
Avishek Chakraborty, Gopi Ram, Durbadal Mandal
Abstract
Abstract The possibilities of achieving beamforming antenna arrays for beyond fifth generation (B5G) communication systems by controlling the inherently generated harmonic beam patterns in “time modulation” based antenna arrays, are proposed in this article. The idea of “time modulation” is to assimilate an additional dimension “time” by using high‐speed switches for synthesizing the array radiation patterns. This in turn generates an infinite number of harmonic frequency patterns apart from the main beam at the fundamental frequency. In general, harmonic frequency patterns may be regarded as wastage of power, but with proper controlling, these spatially independent patterns created at multiple harmonics can be selectively utilized for specific purposes. In this article, the lower‐order harmonic frequency patterns of “time modulated” linear arrays (TMLA) are exploited to produce simultaneous multi‐beamforming for B5G multipoint communication. The capabilities of selective harmonic frequency patterns for multi‐beamforming are mathematically verified by proposing different beamforming switching network combinations. In this regard, phase centered motion (PCM) based TMLA is examined for simultaneous, as well as, monopulse beam scanning. PCM‐based unidirectional and bidirectional beamforming patterns with optimal time schemes are proposed. The mathematical validation of preprocessed symmetric and asymmetric time schemes, as well as, the PCM‐based optimized selective harmonic multi‐beamforming radiation patterns are discussed in detail to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.