Synthesis of sub-arrayed monopulse linear arrays through matching of independently optimum sum and difference excitations

Methods are available for the independent synthesis of array excitations which provide either optimum sum or optimum difference pattern performance. A technique is described to effect the simultaneous synthesis of both sum and difference patterns of a linear antenna array which utilises sub-arraying to increase the number of degrees of freedom above that available with the usual two-section feed network. The particular approach (referred to as excitation matching) attempts to obtain an optimum sum (difference) and a ´best compromise´ difference (sum) pattern, by dealing directly with the independently optimum excitations and appropriately adjusting the sub-array weights.