A cognitive beamforming array

This paper presents our design of a cognitive beamforming array that can be used for communications and RF mapping. This novel approach is through joint frequency and spatial scan to establish both spatial and spectral knowledge of the local environment. With this information, we are able to establish the optimal frequencies and beam patterns to exploit the current environmental situation, including adding beam pattern nulls if required. This design is an effective solution in the common situation where strong interferences and spectral congestion is present and could affect system performance. Our cognitive beamforming array is able to then maintain communications while simultaneously tracking user locations and updating its knowledge of the spectral situation. The response of this system to different scenarios was explored through the use of Matlab simulations prior to hardware implementation of the system. This array system will also help to open up new opportunities for national security and defense, economic development and address pressing social needs in underserved areas in addition to advances in related areas, such as RF localization techniques.