DIRECTIONAL HF TRANSMISSION USING ARRAY

BEAMFORMING
Lt Cdr Iftekhar Alam,; Cdr ML Mathew,
INS Jalashwa, C/o FMO, Vishakhapatnam
Introduction

1. HF Communications have been the time tested and reliable mode of long distance
communication for naval operations all over the world for decades. In spite of the
advancement in satellite communications, HF communication remains to be the most
reliable mode of wireless ‘over the horizon’ communication. It is because of this that even
the most modern of the warships have HF transmitters with monopole/ dipole antenna
systems as an integral part of its communication suite. HF systems in spite of their
reliability have inherent disadvantages of larger antenna size and lack of directivity. In
addition to the Omni directional beam pattern of a monopole/ dipole antenna, the gain of
antenna is also restricted. This in turn affects inter operability of other sensors onboard due
to the effect of EMI as well as the distortion of beam patterns in certain cases. The
exploitation of HF communication in operational scenario is also highly restricted despite
its efficacy, as it is perceived to be a straight give away. Further, design and installation of
HF emitters and the cohabitation of other sensitive electronic systems has become a major
challenge to the designers in the ship building stages.

Problem Statement

2. In this paper, a classical digital signal processing technique has been applied in HF
microwave application to achieve directional transmission from antennae having omni-
directional beam pattern, which could nullify almost all the disadvantages attributed to HF
transmission onboard. The technique presented in the paper can be implemented on any
platform having at least two monopole/ dipole HF whip antennae. The aim is to combine
the omni directional pattern of individual antennae (i.e. monopole/dipole), to achieve
effective directional beam pattern for transmission and reception. Though directional HF
antennae have been in existence for long, the usage of them onboard ships are limited
due to its sheer size, as a directional HF antenna may span from few tens to hundreds of
meters. Therefore, the practical implementation of directional HF antennae is feasible only
through the realms of array signal processing, in which the directivity is achieved by a
cluster of omni-directional (in azimuth plane) antennae functioning as a single ‘virtual
antenna’.

Array Beam Forming

3. An array consists of two or more antenna elements that are spatially arranged
and electrically interconnected to produce a directional radiation pattern. The
interconnection between elements, called the feed network, can provide fixed phase to
each element or can form a phased array. The geometry of an array and the patterns,
orientations, and polarizations of the elements influence the performance of the array.
Array beam forming techniques can yield multiple, simultaneously available beams with
high gain, low side-lobes and controlled beam-width. In addition, the beam could be
electronically steered in any direction either continuously or in small discrete steps.
4. Assume a three dimensional array with an arbitrary geometry, in spherical
coordinates. The vector from the origin to the nth element of the array is given by,
rm = (ρm, θm, ¢m) and –k = (1, θ, φ) is the vector in the direction of the source of an
incident wave. In this discussion, it is assumed that the source of the wave is in the far
field of the array and the incident wave can be treated as a plane wave. To find the
array factor, it is necessary to find the relative phase of the received plane wave, at
each element. The phase is referred to the phase of the plane wave at the origin. Thus,
the phase of the received plane wave at the nth element is the phase constant β = 2 π/ λ
multiplied by the projection of the element position rm on to the plane wave arrival vector
−k. This is given by -k . rm i.e. the dot product taken in rectangular coordinates.

Transmitting
elements/
emitters

Figure 1. Arbitrary three dimensional array

In rectangular coordinates, -k = sin θ. cos φ. x + sin θ. sin φ. y + cos θ. z = r , and

r = ρm sin θm cos φ m.x + ρm sin θm sin φm.y - ρ cos θm.z, and the relative phase of
the incident wave at the nth element is ζm = -k .rm

Array Pattern

5. If each element has a pattern gm (θ,Ø), (where θ is the horizontal beam-width and
Ø is the vertical beam-width), which may be different for each element, the normalized
array pattern of an array formed by these elements is given by:-

(1)

In eqn (1), the gain of element patterns is assumed normalised relative to a common
reference.

6. Beam forming and beam steering techniques are typically used with linear,
circular, or planar arrays but same approaches are applicable to any array geometry.
Array beams can be formed or steered using either phase shift or time delay systems.
Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. But most common implementation are
by phase shifting, in which the feed to each element of an array has been provided with
different phase shifts, so that signals received or transmitted from all elements will be in
phase in a particular direction. This is the direction of the beam maximum. While both
approaches can be used for all array geometries, for simulation purposes, equally
spaced linear and planar arrays have been considered in this paper.

7. Beam Pattern of a Monopole Antenna. The radiation characteristics of a

dipole and a monopole are approximately omni directional in the plane perpendicular to
the antenna axis. For a vertically polarized monopole antenna, the radiation pattern is
independent of θ (azimuth). However, in an efficient system, It is desired that the
radiated power is directed in a given direction, as the power transmitted in other
directions is considered wasted and compromises the position of the emitter and
thereby the platform, Further, from the EMI point of view, the radiated power should be
directed away from other cohabited antennas/equipment which are placed on the top
deck. This paper investigates, how to use two or more omni directional (in azimuth
plane) antennae could produce maxima and/ or null in the desired directions, resulting in
a directional beam pattern.

8. Effect of Inter Element Separation. The array pattern of an omni directional

monopole antenna [2] is given by

Wk=sin(N*Kx*d/2).e-j*(N-1)*Kx*d/2/N*sin (Kx*d/2) (2)

Where, Wk = array pattern

N = no of elements in a uniform linear array
Kx = 2π / λ rad/m
d = inter element separation

9. Case-1. The simulation result (in MATLAB) of array pattern of a two element
monopole array, separated by an inter element distance of λ /2 (λ is the wavelength of
the transmitted signal from the monopole), is shown in figure 2 where the normalised
magnitude is along the y-axis and the azimuth angle (in radians) along the x-axis. 0
radians correspond to the broadside of the 2 element array. It may be observed that,
there exists a null at π/2 radians from broadside of the array i.e. along the axis of the
array.

Main Lobe
Maxima

Null

Figure 2: Combined Pattern of two monopole antennas fed from a coherent source
10. Case-2. When the inter-element distance is increased to 3λ/4, the simulated
pattern becomes, as shown in figure 3, where the effect of spatial aliasing has occurred

Grating Lobe

Figure 3: Effect of Spatial aliasing in Combined Pattern of two monopole antennas fed
from a coherent source
with grating lobes at π/2 rad. Thus, under the above conditions of antenna separation
vis-à-vis the frequency of operation, radiation will occur in the sector where null has
been present in fig 2.

11. Effect of Inter Element Current Phasing. The relative phase of the currents
could be chosen to give maxima/minima in the radiation pattern of the array [1]. The
array pattern Wk (eqn 2), would be modified to incorporate the current phasing to the
radiating elements, as follows:

Wk=sin(N. (Kx-δ).d/2). e-j*(N-1)*(Kx –δ) *d/2 / N.sin ((Kx- δ ).d/2) (3)

Where, Wk= array pattern

N = no of elements in a ULA
Kx = 2π Sinθ/ λ rad/m
d = inter element separation
δ = current phase delay

12. Case 3. Simulated result of the array pattern of a two element monopole
array, separated by an inter element distance of λ /2 and current phasing δ = π/2, is
shown in fig 4. Comparing fig 2 and 4, it may be observe that by keeping the inter
element (antenna) separation constant and varying the current phase, a beam steering
of 90 degrees could be achieved.
 Figure 4: Combined Pattern of two monopole antennas d= λ /2 ; δ = π/2

Beam Steering in Planar Array

13. The case of a 2x3 element planar array of monopole antennae configuration has
been shown in figure 5. The azimuth pattern of individual element is omni directional,
but when the array is fed from a single coherent source, the resulting pattern shows a
directional characteristic, as shown in figure 6. In the simulated result in figure 6, the
inter-element separation is d=λ /2 with zero current phasing between elements. The top
plot in figure 6 gives a 3-dimensional representation of the beam pattern. The second
and the third plot indicate the pattern along the broadside (x-axis) and either side (y-
axis) of the array respectively. It may be observed that directivity (beam-width) along the
x-axis is higher than the y-axis. Similarly, there exists a null at π/2 radians on either side
of the array and 40% energy radiation at π/2 radians on the broadside. Thus, it may be
inferred that in this way, directivity of the transmissions could be controlled.

d
Radiating Elements

y-Axis d

x-Axis

Figure 5. Schematic Layout of a 2x3 element configuration Planar Array

 Figure 6. Simulated Beam pattern of a 2x3 element configuration Planar Array

14. The pattern in figure 6 may further be modified by introducing current phasing δ,
between the elements. Figure 7 illustrates the altered pattern, when a phase difference
of π/2 radians is introduced between elements of row 1 and 2, of the planar array.

Figure 7: Simulated Beam pattern of a 2x3 element planar array with Current Phasing
δ= π/2 radians

15. Current phasing (δ) could be achieved by using time delays, which is generally
preferred for broadband operation (like in HF) as the direction of the main beam does
not change with frequency. Time delays could be introduced by switching in
transmission lines of varying lengths or by using phase shifters. As with phase shifting,
time delays can be introduced at RF or IF stages and are varied in discrete increments.
Therefore, if d is the inter-element separation, c is the velocity of light and Ø is the angle
of incidence/ take-off of the plane wave front from the array, then the inter-element time
delay (∆t) may be represented by:-

∆t = d / c cosØ (4)

Implementation Aspects

16. A low cost and implement able solution to achieving directional transmission has
been illustrated in Figure 8. The phase shift could be achieved by varying lengths of
transmission feeder lines/ cables. The transmitter feeds ‘n’ antennae, through a multi
coupler. Thus, till the multi-coupler, the source is coherent, whereas after the
multicoupler, the phase at the transmitting element would be a function of the length of
the transmission lines (L).

Antennas
1 2 n

L2 Ln
L1
Multi-coupler
Alternatively a
phase shifter
can be used
Transmitter

Figure 8: Schematic for incorporating inter element time delay

17. The length of the transmission lines L1, L2…..Ln, is different depending upon the
phase shifts required to be introduced. The phase shift is related to the length of the
transmission line by :-

θ=ßL (5)

where, θ = phase shift

L = length of the transmission line
ß = propagation constant = 2π / λ
λ = wavelength of HF in the dielectric medium of the transmission line is
(λo / √ Єr)
λo = wavelength of HF in vacuum = c / f
Єr = dielectric constant
Conclusion

18. In this paper, an effort was made to introduce a concept for achieving directional
transmission from omni-directional antennae, using beam-forming technique.
Accordingly, in platforms having more than one omni-directional HF antennae with
reasonable lateral separation, it may be feasible to establish a liner array. Further, with
implementation of suitable signal processing techniques, a virtual directional antenna
could be implemented. The additional hardware required for implementing such a
system includes a multi-coupler and a phase shifter or transmission lines of varying
lengths. Further, with a programmable phase shifter, capable of switching phases, it
may be possible to selectively choosing the sector of transmission. The advantages of
directional HF transmissions, using such a technique are as follows: -

(a) Achieving directional transmission, in a given sector in azimuth, where by

reducing the probability of intercept in other directions considerably.

(b) Achieving higher transmission efficiency with the directional beam,

resulting in lower output power requirements / greater ranges.

(c) Reducing the Electromagnetic Interference from own transmissions to the

cohabited systems onboard, making better spectrum management and improving
inter operability.

References

[1] Dudgeon, D.E. and Russel, M.M., “Multidimensional Digital Signal Processing”.
Prentice-Hall Inc, 1984.
[2] Johnson, D. H. and Dudgeon, D. E., “Array Signal Processing”. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, 1993.

Authors

1. Cdr ML Mathew (51112-N) is an alumni of Naval College of Engineering (NEC-2)

and was commissioned on 25 Nov 1988. He has completed his MTech in Controls
Guidance & Instrumentation from IIT Chennai and MSc(Def Studies) fro DSSC,
Wellington. He had been an instructor in INS Valsura and P-15 Training Team, in
addition to a tenure at ND(MB). His afloat appointments include ALO(NDC) INS Ganga
and commissioning ALO(Missiles) of INS Mumbai. Presently, the officer is serving as
the commissioning Electrical Officer of INS Jalashwa, the first LPD acquired from United
States Navy.

2. Lt Cdr Iftekhar Alam (51451-H) is an alumni of Naval College of Engineering

(NEC-7) and was commissioned on 26 Nov 1994. He has completed his MTech in
Communication& Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi. He has been an instructor at
Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune, in addition to a tenure at
ND(MB). His afloat appointments include ALO(NDC) INS Ranvir. Presently, the officer is
serving as the commissioning Deputy Electrical Officer of INS Jalashwa, the first LPD
acquired from United States Navy.