A Method for Determining Weight Reset Timing in a Wirelessly Networked Array with Independently Mobile Elements

A method is proposed to determine reset timing for phase weight recalculation required in coherent beamforming using wirelessly connected independently mobile nodes to form an array aperture. Without the tether of a wired connection, elements in an array may be independently mobile. However, coherent beam formation requires position data at time of intercept to maintain target focus. Implementing a stochastic relationship between random element motion and array gain, position updates for weight reset can be delayed while still meeting requirements for array gain performance. Determination of the timing required between phase weight reset is vital to this process. A new algorithm is proposed to make this determination using probability of signal detection under the Neyman-Pearson criterion as a key indicator. The result is a method that efficiently balances operational array requirements and node energy usage. A comparison of energy usage versus alternate methods demonstrates the achieved performance.