Interleaved Sparse Arrays for Polarization Control of Electronically Steered Phased Arrays for Meteorological Applications

A method is described for adjusting the far-field polarization of an electronically steered phased-array antenna. In this method, the polarization of a small subset of array elements is switched in order to reduce far-field cross-polarization of the overall array. The technique is intended for antennas used in polarimetric radars that measure quantities such as differential reflectivity (Zdr) and specific differential phase (KDP). In particular, it is appropriate for lower cost arrays where only one transmit or receive polarization is active at a time. In such arrays, it will reduce the number of measurements needed by one-third. Analysis of the tradeoffs in the technique is presented as well as examples in hypothetical large arrays. Measured results are presented for a small 4×4 array.

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