Statistically thinned arrays with quantized amplitude weights

The present work was motivated by the fact that, if array amplitude weights are applied by solid-state modules, then it may be practical and economical to select modules with a small number of discrete, or quantized, amplitude levels, and to organize the array into annular rings with the quantized levels. Since an array with quantized amplitudes may produce high sidelobes, the goal of this study was to use statistical thinning to smooth the average amplitude illumination and reduce peak sidelobe levels. The resulting changes in average sidelobe level, gain, and effective isotropic radiated power due to this design procedure were then evaluated. The authors present directivity, normalized power radiated, normalized effective isotropic radiated power, and computed array patterns for a variety of design sidelobe levels.<>