All digital phased arrays generate multiple beams concurrently through the digital beam forming technique, which features digital processing with multiple identical receiving/transmitting channels in RF or microwave frequencies. However, the performance of this process strongly depends on accurately matching the amplitude and phase of the channels, as mismatching is likely to degrade radar performance. In this paper, we present a method to calibrate receiving array by using NCO phase increasing algorithm, which simplifies array system by removing the external far-field calibration signals often needed in array systems. Both analysis and simulation results suggest that the proposed method attains better calibration performance than existing approaches, even with a low SNR input signal. Experiments also varify that the proposed calibration method is effective and achieves a desired radiation pattern. We can further boost calibration accuracy and reduce calibration time by programming NCO phase width and NCO phase resolution.

This letter investigates sidelobe levels of a two-bit digital phased array composed of a small number of elements. Among several phase shifter designs applicable to phased arrays, a two-bit design needs the least number of circuit elements so that the development and manufacturing need the lowest cost. Now the following questions arise. Is a two-bit phased array practical? How low can its sidelobe level be reduced? To answer the questions, three methods are tried to reduce the sidelobe level of a uniformly-excited linear array of isotropic elements. The methods are the quadratic-phase feed method, the partially randomizing method of periodic phase errors, and the genetic algorithm (GA) approach. Among the methods, the quadratic-phase feed method provides the lowest sidelobe level around -12.5 dB - -13.2 dB in the steering angles from 0 to 48 degrees for a 21-element, half-wavelength spacing array, and -11.2 dB - -13.0 dB in the steering angles from 0 to 30 degrees for an 11-element, 0.6-wavelength spacing array. Although it depends on the system requirement, these values would be acceptable in some applications, hence a two-bit phased array designed properly may be practical in an actual system.