Simplified Frequency-Diverse Array Architecture for Surveillance Purposes

This work presents a novel analysis of frequency diverse arrays (FDAs) for radar applications when real radiating structures are involved. A straight comparison with the ideal FDA behavior has demonstrated the limits of real radiating architectures and the characteristics that they should have in terms of half-power beamwidth (HPBW) and directivity for optimal FDA performance. The best topology has been identified in series-fed arrays as single radiating element, offering a wide visible range in the plane where the frequency diversity scheme is applied and improved directivity in the orthogonal one. The analytical results are supported by a measurement campaign where the characterization of a wideband planar series-fed frequency diverse array working at 1.95 GHz is provided. The results have highlighted this topology as one of the most promising solutions for localization purposes if frequency diversity is exploited.