Wide Deterministic Nulling by Means of Multiplicative Array Techniques

A method is proposed for suppressing extended clutter in "a priori" known region of space (e.g. along horizon) by means of an additional attenuation of antenna sidelobes. The reduction of antenna sidelobes is obtained through the non-linear control of a certain number of array elements. The method derives from multiplicative array theory. The system performance has been assessed by comparing the signal-to-noise power ratio of the multiplicative array with that obtained with an additive array followed by a square-law detector. Moreover, the clutter attenuation has been evaluated. The problem of cross-product terms in a complex multitarget environment is briefly revised. Finally, the random aperture errors and the multipliction accuracy are considered in the performance evaluation.