ECE Research Seminar – Friday, October 25, 12-1 pm
October 21, 2024
Please join us for our October 2024 ECE Research Seminar
October 25, 2024, Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Simrall 104
https://msstate.webex.com/msstate/j.php?MTID=md69c76938f618e8b3148b9712076ee15
Design and Optimization of UAV Swarm-Based Phased Arrays
for Near-Isotropic Full Scan Range
Bidya Debnath | bd1166@msstate.edu
Abstract: A novel distributed aperiodic phased array antenna has been developed using a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with rotated dipole antenna elements to achieve a near-isotropic scanned radiation pattern with high aperture efficiency. Traditional planar phased arrays cannot achieve wide scan angles due to ground plane effects and mutual coupling between elements. While conformal arrays offer wider scan ranges through configurations like cylindrical or hemispherical designs, they suffer from lower aperture. To address these challenges, the proposed system employs UAVs as mobile antenna platforms, allowing for flexible positioning and orientation of the antenna elements. A genetic algorithm has been utilized to optimize the positions of the UAV-mounted elements and the rotation angles of each dipole antenna. This optimization minimizes variations in directivity, half-power beamwidth, and peak sidelobe level over all steering angles, ensuring a more uniform and efficient radiation pattern. The novelty of this work lies in forming a distributed aperiodic phased array capable of achieving a full spherical scan range with minimal fluctuations in array directivity. By leveraging the mobility and spatial diversity of the UAV swarm, the system overcomes the inherent limitations of traditional fixed arrays while presenting minimal blockage to antenna radiation. All array elements contribute effectively to beamforming, greatly improving aperture efficiency compared to traditional conformal arrays. Simulated and experimental characterizations have validated the feasibility and effectiveness of the design, demonstrating that near-ideal performance can be achieved with practical antenna elements. This innovative approach holds significant potential for advancing applications in radar systems, air traffic control, satellite communications, and 5G technology by providing a robust solution for consistent and efficient signal transmission and reception across a full range of directions.
Bidya Debnath has completed her B.Sc. degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2019. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University under the supervision of Dr. Junming Diao. Her research focus includes distributed phased array antenna, beamforming and beam steering.
* For further information contact: Dr. Jenny Du | du@ece.msstate.edu | 5-2035
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The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University consists of 27 faculty members (including seven endowed professors), seven professional staff, and over 700 undergraduate and graduate students, with approximately 100 being at the Ph.D. level. With a research expenditure of over $14.24 million, the department houses the largest High Voltage Laboratory among North American universities.