Digital antenna array

Digital antenna array (DAA) is a smart antenna with multi channels digital beamforming, usually by using fast Fourier transform (FFT). The development and practical realization of digital antenna arrays theory started in 1962 under the guidance of Vladimir Varyukhin (USSR).

The history of the DAA was started to emerge as a theory of multichannel analysis in the 1920s. In the 1940s this theory evolved to the theory of three-channel antenna analyzers.

The implementation of effective signal processing in radars by the end of the 1950s predetermined the use of electronic computers in this field. In 1957, Ben S. Meltont and Leslie F. Bailey published article regarding using algebraic operations for signal processing with the help of electronic circuits or analog computer.

Three years after in 1960 the idea of using high-speed computers to solve directional finding problems was embodied, initially to locate earthquake epicenter. B. A. Bolt was one of the first who implemented this idea in practice. Almost simultaneously a similar approach was used by Flinn, a research fellow of the Australian National University.

Despite the fact that in the mentioned experiments the interaction between sensors and computers was implemented with the help of data input cards, such decision was a decisive step on the way of the appearance of the DAA. Then, it was needed only to solve the problem of direct digital data input into the computer from sensors, excluding the step of preparation of punch card and operator assistance as a surplus element. This step for radars theory was made after 1962 in the former USSR conducted with a solution to the problem of superRayleigh resolution of the emission sources.

The main approach to digital signal processing in DAA is the "digital beamforming" after Analog-to-digital converters (ADC) of receiver channels or before Digital-to-analog converters (DAC) by transmission.

Digital beamforming of DAA has advantages because the digital signals can be transformed and combined in parallel, to produce different output signals. The signals from every direction can be estimated simultaneously and integrated for a longer time to increasing of signals energy when detecting far-off objects and simultaneously integrated for a shorter time to detecting fast-moving close objects.

Before digital beamforming operation should be used a correction of channels characteristics by a special test source or using the heterodyne signal. Such correction can be used not only for receiving channels but also in transmission channels of active DAA.