APERIODIC ARRAY SYNTHESIS

FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CARLO BENCIVENNI
PHD DEFENSE
31st May 2017 – Room EB, floor 4, Hörsalvägen 11, Chalmers

SUPERVISOR: Prof. M. Ivashina

CO-SUPERVISOR: Ass. Prof. R. Maaskant
CONTENT

• Introduction Project | Aperiodic Arrays | Synthesis

• SATCOM applications
• P2P backhauling
• LoS-MIMO backhauling
• MU-MIMO user coverage
• Conclusions
Scenario | Results
Scenario | Design | Results
Scenario | Results
Scenario | Results

13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 2
PROJECT
CHASE’s Next Generation Array Antennas
Wideband wide-scan arrays Advanced cost-effective arrays
C. Kolitsidas, L. Jonsson C. Bencivenni, M. Ivashina, R. Maaskant

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PROJECT
CHASE’s Next Generation Array Antennas
Wideband wide-scan arrays Advanced cost-effective arrays
C. Kolitsidas, L. Jonsson C. Bencivenni, M. Ivashina, R. Maaskant
• Specifications: 700-4200MHz, ±60° • Specifications: application dependent
• Direction: strongly coupled arrays • Direction: aperiodic arrays
• Main contributions: Theoretical • Main contributions: Synthesis
models; Connected arrays (SCADA); methods; application to phased- and
Metasurface based arrays MIMO-arrays; prototype manufacturing

SCADA array P2P slotted waveguide array

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 REGULAR AND APERIODIC ARRAYS
Regular arrays have simple and mature design; however aperiodic arrays can be superior

Regular

Aperiodic
x^

Illustration of the effect of grating lobes

Main advantages and disadvantages:

▲ Reduction in number of elements ▼ Increased design complexity
▲ Improved radiation pattern ▼ Increased manufacturing complexity
▲ Improved excitation taper
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APERIODIC ARRAY SYNTHESIS
Arises the problem of designing optimal arrays, with the minimum number of elements
• Parameters that can be exploited:
− Excitations: amplitude, phase, clustering…
− Antenna elements: multi elements…
− Positions: lattice, spacing, number…
▶ Very large search space and highly non-linear problem

• Synthesis approaches:
– Exhaustive search: optimal but often unfeasible
– Global optimization: flexible but slow
– Analytical techniques: fast but limited
• Compressive Sensing
• Density taper
▶ Appropriate method depending on the problem
Illustration of a generic array
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APPLICATION AREAS

SATCOM

Backhaul LoS-MIMO

MU-MIMO

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APPLICATION AREAS

SATCOM

HUGES EchoStar XVII satellite

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 SATCOM

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Paper 1,2

Provide connectivity from orbiting satellites:
▶ Main challenge: Narrow, low-interference spot
beams but limited Field of View
• Today, reflector antennas are used, but desire
for additional functionalities push for new solutions
• Direct Radiating Arrays (DRA:s) can handle this, but:
− Beamwidth (0.795º) → Aperture size d ~ 100λ
− Field of View ( 8º) → Element spacing Δx ~ 3λ
− Low sidelobes (< 25dB) → Reduced efficiency
▶ Many elements and active electronic components
(LNAs,HPAs): N > 1000 in a dense regular array
▶ It is critical to minimize the number of elements, thus
aperiodic (sparse) arrays are very attractive! Illustration of a SATCOM GEO scenario
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 SATCOM

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Paper 1,2

Provide connectivity from orbiting satellites:
▶ Main challenge: Narrow, low-interference spot
beams but limited Field of View
• Today, reflector antennas are used, but desire
for additional functionalities push for new solutions
• Direct Radiating Arrays (DRA:s) can handle this, but:
− Beamwidth (0.795º) → Aperture size d ~ 100λ
− Field of View ( 8º) → Element spacing Δx ~ 3λ
− Low sidelobes (< 25dB) → Reduced efficiency
▶ Many elements and active electronic components
(LNAs,HPAs): N > 1000 in a dense regular array
▶ It is critical to minimize the number of elements, thus ICO satellite: two dense DRAs for
aperiodic (sparse) arrays are very attractive! communication in LEO at L- or S-band
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 SATCOM

RESULTS Paper 1,2

Starting from Compressive Sensing, we expanded the synthesis approach

Reduction of Inclusion of
# control Mutual
(isophoric) Coupling

Reduction of Extend the Realistic

complexity current electronics &
(modular) method multi band

Reduction of Reconfigurable
# elements design
(multi element) (multi beam)
Array architecture Antennas and electronics

13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 11
 SATCOM

RESULTS Paper 1,2

Starting from Compressive Sensing, we expanded the synthesis approach

Reduction of Inclusion of
# control Mutual
(isophoric) Coupling

Step I

Reduction of Extend the Realistic

complexity current electronics &
(modular) method multi band

Step II

Reduction of Reconfigurable
# elements design
(multi element) (multi beam)
Array architecture Antennas and electronics

13/10/18 Large- PhD

Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni array of pipe
Defense horns 12
 SATCOM

RESULTS Paper 1,2

Starting from Compressive Sensing, we expanded the synthesis approach

Reduction of Inclusion of
# control Mutual
(isophoric) Coupling

Reduction of Extend the Realistic

complexity current electronics &
(modular) method multi band

Array reconfigurable between pencil and flat-top beam

Reduction of Reconfigurable
# elements design
(multi element) (multi beam)
Array architecture Antennas and electronics

13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 13
 SATCOM

RESULTS SINGLEELEMENT:
SINGLE
SINGLE ELEMENT: rrr===1.5λ
ELEMENT: 2λ
1λ
Paper 1,2
Starting from Compressive Sensing, we expanded the synthesis approach

Reduction of Inclusion of
# control Mutual
(isophoric) Coupling

MULTI ELEMENT: r = 1 ; 1.5 ; 2λ

Reduction of Extend the Realistic

complexity current electronics &
(modular) method multi band

Array of Uniform Circular Aperture antennas

Reduction of Reconfigurable
# elements design
(multi element) (multi beam)
Array architecture Antennas and electronics

13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 14
 SATCOM

RESULTS Paper 1,2

Starting from Compressive Sensing, we expanded the synthesis approach

Reduction of Inclusion of
# control Mutual
(isophoric) Coupling

Reduction of Extend the Realistic

complexity current electronics &
(modular) method multi band

Reduction of Reconfigurable
# elements design
(multi element) (multi beam)
Array architecture Antennas and electronics

13/10/18 Isophoric ring

Aperiodic Array arrayfor Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense
Synthesis 15
APPLICATION AREAS

SATCOM

Backhaul LoS-MIMO

MU-MIMO

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APPLICATION AREAS

Backhaul

The MINI-LINK family, courtesy of Ericsson

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 Backhaul

POINT-TO-POINT BACKHAULING Paper 3

High-capacity, highly reliable and spectral efficient radio links
• Today, reflector are mainly used, but there is interest in array solution
• High efficiency at high frequencies Paper C. Aperiodic Array of Uniformly-Excited Slotted Ridge
– Waveguide, Gapwaveguide, etc. Regular Aperiodic
• Low interference (RPE)
Pe Pe

– Excitation taper → reduced efficiency 6xPe 4xPe

d34
– Array tilting → increased cross-pol 6xPe
8xPe

▶ Proposed antenna d 24xPe d23

6xPe
8xPe
– Waveguide based d12
6xPe 4xPe
– Column arranged

E-plane
H-plane
– Isophoric dense array (a) (b)
Illustration of the aperiodic column layout
Figure 1: Comparison between: (a) a regular, and; (b) an aperiodic isopho
• Synthesis method: hybrid Compressive Sensing/density tapered
waveguide antenna array. based
Note that the aperiodic array has a differ
• Activity of visiting reseacher Dr. Lei spacing dk and power Pk per waveguide if an identical power per-slot P
desired.
13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 18
 Backhaul

DESIGN Paper C. Aperiodic Array of Uniformly-Excited Slotted Ridge

Paper 3
Electromagnetic and mechanical design of the antenna Radiating slot

▶ Milled in three layers of aluminum, Type I

128mm
110mm
bonded by vacuum brazing
Type II
Type III
90mm

• Layer 1: radiating plate 117mm

– 160 slots organized in 16 column Layer 1

– Metal fences for reduced mutual coupling

• Layer 2: column subarray plate Metal fence

– Ridged waveguides for narrower design Layer 2

– Dual-ridged feed windows at columns center Feed windows

• Layer 3: feed network plate Ridge waveguide

– Corporate feed network with 15 power dividers ^z ^
Layer 3

– Wideband compensation for aperiodic spacing o yx^(H-plane) 16-way power divider

– WR28 input flange on the back

(E-plane) Beam port

Figure 2: Exploded view Exploded

of the proposedview of (i)the
antenna: antenna
Layer 1 (blue) is t
radiation layer, with 160 isophoric slots arranged in 16 irregularly-spac
13/10/18 Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications - Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 19
columns with metal fences; (ii) Layer 2 (orange) is the intermediate feedi
 Backhaul

RESULTS
Simulated and measured results of the manufactured antenna
• Reflection coefficient: 12% bandwidth for S11<10dB
• Radiation pattern: ETSI class-II in all planes
• Gain: simulated 28.5dBi (>80%), measured -2dB from plating
▶ Performance as predicted Manufactured antenna

Reflection coefficient Radiation patterns in E-,H-,D-plane at 30GHz

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APPLICATION AREAS

SATCOM

Backhaul LoS-MIMO

MU-MIMO

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APPLICATION AREAS

LoS-MIMO

LoS-MIMO test measurement, courtesy of Ericsson

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 LoS-MIMO

LINE-OF-SIGHT MIMO BACKHAULING Chapter 6. Line-of-Sight MIMO Backhaul

Paper 4
Increase capacity by employing MIMO multiplexing
TX RX
▶ Line-of-sight propagation is typically experienced in n=1
x1=0 h2,1
m=1
m=

backhauling scenarios, thus cannot rely on scattering n=2 m=2

m=

• MIMO based on near-field propagation:

x2
N M

− Very large electrical size → Element spacing d ~ 100λ n=3

x3
R
m=3
m=

− High frequencies → Aperture size A ~ 1m n=N

xN=A
r3,N m=M

▶ Sensible to antenna positioning x

Figure 6.1: Illustration of a 4 ⇥ 4 line-of-sight MIMO link

uncorrelated channels and enable multiplexing. In backhauling ap

however, alternative mechanisms are needed, because what is
experienced is LoS propagation instead, i.e., K = 1 in Eq. (2.8
known fact that in far-field LoS it is not possible to obtain MIMO ca
excepts for dual polarization [66]. However, in the (non-reactive)
or Fresnel region, i.e. for R < 2D2 / , it is possible to obtain or
channels. That is, for relatively small distances, the path length d
between each pair of transmit and receive antennas are not negligibl
be exploited toIllustration of achannels.
create independent 4x4 LoS-MIMO linkany
Therefore, to cover
13/10/18 distance,
Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications Carlo Bencivenni electrically
- PhD Defense massive apertures and thus large 23 inter-elemen
are needed. This, in turn, requires very high frequencies to maintain
 LoS-MIMO

RESULTS Paper 4

4. Results
Regular 4x4 symmetric link, f=80GHz, d=100λ, SNR=30dB
n=1 n=1

n=2
N=4 n=2
n=3

A
n=3
n=3*

n=4 n=4

a) Regular b) Aperiodic c) Aperiodic d) Aperiodic

central switched edge switched

Figure 2: Illustration of the LoS

13/10/18
MIMO architectures considered.
Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 24
 LoS-MIMO

RESULTS Paper 4
Aperiodic and aperiodic switched arrays can increase the minimum capacity
• Synthesis method: exhaustive search
4. Results
Regular 4x4 symmetric link, f=80GHz, d=100λ, SNR=30dB Aperiodic
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1

n=2 n=2
N=4 n=2 N=4 n=2
n=3 n=3

A A
n=3 n=3
n=3* n=3*

n=4 n=4 n=4 n=4

a) Regular b) Aperiodic c) Aperiodic d) Aperiodic a) Regular b) Aperiodic c) Aperiodic

central switched edge switched central switched
▶ High capacity over a wide range of distances with minimal complexity
Figure 2: Illustration of the LoS
13/10/18
MIMO architectures considered. Figure 2: Illustration of the LoS MIMO architectures
Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense 25
 LoS-MIMO

RESULTS Paper 4
Aperiodic and aperiodic switched arrays can increase the minimum capacity
• Synthesis method: exhaustive search
4. Results 4. Results
Regular 4x4 symmetric link, f=80GHz, d=100λ, SNR=30dB Aperiodic Switched
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1

n=2 n=2 n=2

N=4 n=2 N=4 n=2 N=4 n=2
n=3 n=3 n=3

A A A
n=3 n=3 n=3
n=3* n=3* n=3*

n=4 n=4 n=4 n=4 n=4 n=4

a) Regular b) Aperiodic c) Aperiodic a) Regular

d) Aperiodic a)
b) Regular
Aperiodic b)c)Aperiodic
Aperiodic c) Aperiodic
d) Aperiodic
central switched edge switched central switched central
edge switched
switched
▶ High capacity over a wide range of distances with minimal complexity
Figure 2: Illustration of the LoS
13/10/18
MIMO architectures Figure
considered.
2: Illustration
Figure of 2:theIllustration
LoS MIMO
Aperiodic Array Synthesis for Telecommunications Carlo Bencivenni - PhD Defense
of architectures
the LoS MIMO considered.
architectures
26
APPLICATION AREAS

SATCOM

Backhaul LoS-MIMO

MU-MIMO

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APPLICATION AREAS

MU-MIMO

Base station antenna mast

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 MU-MIMO

MULTI-USER MIMO COVERAGE Paper 5

Future cellular systems are predicted to be based on massive MU-MIMO arrays
• Spatial Division Multiple Access:
– Users are separated by their spatial signature
– Inter-user interference is a major source of signal degradation
– Adaptive beamforming is adopted
• Figures of merit: signal quality; system capacity; amplifier efficiency
Chapter 7. Multi-User MIMO User Coverage
▶ Statistical problem: usersChapter 7. Multi-User MIMO User Coverage
have random behavior (location, orientation etc..)
UEk=1
m=1
Ásep Ádir
BS Á=0°
Sector
BS
wm hkm
m=M=8 UEk
UEk=2
Illustration of a MU-MIMO sector (top view)BSm Á=±60°
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Figure
Figure 7.1: Illustration of a M ⇥ 7.2: Illustration
K MU-MIMO cell.of a 8 ⇥ 2 MU-MIMO cell.
 MU-MIMO

RESULTS Paper 5
The aperiodic array can be optimized for higher performance, in a statistical sense
• Synthesis method: hybrid statistical-density tapered based
Signal quality, SINR System capacity, SR Amplifiers’ efficiency, μ

Results for moderate-sized MU-MIMO systems

▶ Aperiodic array gain increases with systems size

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CONCLUSIONS
• Aperiodic array synthesis is a challenging problem and requires the use of
appropriate method based on the specific scenario.
• Aperiodic array can substantially improve upon conventional regular array:
• In SATCOM application we can dramatically decrease the number of
elements and cost of massive antenna systems.
• In P2P backhauling we can design high-efficiency radiation pattern
envelop compliant antennas.
• In LoS-MIMO backhauling it is possible to exploit aperiodic array to
design flexible antennas readily deployable.
• In MU-MIMO coverage it is possible to significantly improve the link
quality, capacity and amplifier efficiency.

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