Systems and methods for shaping beams produced by antenna arrays

A method for simulating quadrature phase-shift key (QPSK) beam forming in an antenna array, wherein each antenna of the array is connected to a common transmitter via a binary phase shifter, the method comprising:

• for each transmitting antenna of the array determining a required complex QPSK steering vector comprising a real component selected from 0 and 180 degrees and an imaginary component selected from 90 and 270 degrees;
• the transmitter generating an oscillating signal;
• said binary phase shifter applying a 180 degree phase shift to the signal to be transmitted during a first interval for each antenna having an associated steering vector with a real component of 180 degrees;
• during the first time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the first time interval to a memory;
• said binary phase shifter applying a 180 degree phase shift to the signal to be transmitted during a second interval for each antenna having an associated steering vector with an imaginary component of 180 degrees;
• during the second time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the second time interval to the memory;
• a post processor applying a 90 degree phase shift to signals received during the second time interval;
• and
• the post processor summing the signals received during the first time interval to 90 degree phase shifted signals received during the second time interval.

A method for simulating quadrature phase-shift key (QPSK) beam forming in an antenna array, wherein each antenna of the array is selectively connected to a common transmitter oscillator via an independently controllable connecting switch, the method comprising:

• for each transmitting antenna of the array determining a required complex QPSK steering vector comprising a real component selected from 0 and 180 degrees and an imaginary component selected from 90 and 270 degrees;
• the common transmitter oscillator generating an oscillating signal;
• during a first time interval, connecting only transmitting antennas having an associated steering vector with a real component of 0 degrees to the common transmitter oscillator, and the common transmitter oscillator generating a first time-interval transmission signal;
• during the first time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the first time interval to a memory;
• during a second time interval, connecting only transmitting antennas having an associated steering vector with a real component of 180 degrees to the common transmitter oscillator, and the common transmitter oscillator generating a second time-interval transmission signal;
• during the second time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the second time interval to a memory;
• during a third time interval, connecting only transmitting antennas having an associated steering vector with an imaginary component of 90 degrees to the common transmitter oscillator, and the common transmitter oscillator generating a third time-interval transmission signal;
• during the third time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the third time interval to a memory;
• during a fourth time interval, connecting only transmitting antennas having an associated steering vector with an imaginary component of 270 degrees to the common transmitter oscillator, and the common transmitter oscillator generating a fourth time-interval transmission signal;
• during the fourth time interval, at least one receiving antenna receiving reflected signals and storing signals received during the fourth time interval to a memory;
• a post processor applying a 180 degree phase shift to signals received during the second time interval;
• the post processor applying a 90 degree phase shift to signals received during the third time interval;
• the post processor applying a 270 degree phase shift to signals received during the fourth time interval;
• and
• the post processor summing the signals received during the first time interval, 180 degree phase shifted signals received during the second time interval, 90 degree phase shifted signals received during the third time interval, and 270 degree phase shifted signals received during the fourth time interval.