A switchable biomimetic antenna array

Abstract

Biomimetic antenna arrays inspired by the fly Ormia ochracea showed a promising improvement of the angle estimation capabilities of radar sensors. So far, there is usually a loss of output power associated with this improvement decreasing the detectability of weak radar targets. In this letter, an electronically switchable two-element biomimetic antenna array is presented for the first time. This array provides the possibility to switch between a biomimetic antenna mode with enhanced phase sensitivity and a conventional antenna mode with a better signal-to-noise ratio. Circuit requirements are discussed, the design process is described, and a realization in the 77GHz range using p-i-n diodes as switching elements is presented. Radar measurements verify the concept. By switching, the phase sensitivity of the realized array can be enhanced by a factor of three with a relative power loss of maximum 14 dB.