Thinned-array curse: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Theorem in electromagnetic theory of antennas}}

The '''thinned array curse''' (sometimes, ''sparse array curse'') is a theorem in [[electromagnetic radiation | electromagnetic]] theory of [[transmitter]]s. It states that a transmitting aperture which is [[Aperture synthesis|synthesized]] by a coherent [[phased array]] of smaller apertures that are spaced apart will have a smaller minimum beam spot size (typically, the [[main lobe]] has a [[solid angle]] that is smaller by an amount proportional to the ratio of the area of the synthesized array divided by the total area of the individual apertures), but the amount of power that is beamed into this main lobe is reduced by an exactly proportional amount, so that the total power density in the beam is constant.

{{Infobox theorem|name=Thinned-array Curse|type=electromagnetic theory of antennas|field=electromagnetic|first stated date=1976|first stated by=[[Robert L. Forward]]|statement=A transmitting antenna which is synthesized from a coherent phased array of smaller antenna apertures that are spaced apart will have a smaller minimum beam spot size.}}

The '''thinned -array curse''' (sometimes, '''sparse -array curse''') is a theorem in [[electromagnetic radiation | electromagnetic]] theory of [[transmitterantenna (radio)|antenna]]s. It states that a transmitting apertureantenna which is [[Aperture synthesis|synthesized]] byfrom a coherent [[phased array]] of smaller antenna apertures that are spaced apart will have a smaller minimum beam spot size (typically, the [[main lobe]] has a [[solid angle]] that is smaller by an amount proportional to the ratio of the area of the synthesized array divided by the total area of the individual apertures), but the amount of power that is beamed into this [[main lobe]] is reduced by an exactly proportional amount, so that the total [[power density]] in the beam is constant.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Glennon|first1=Eamonn P|last2=Dempster|first2=Andrew G|last3=Aboutanios|first3=Elias|date=2018-07-07|title=Distributed Beamforming Architectures: Taxonomy, Requirements & Synergies|url=https://www.ignss2018.unsw.edu.au/sites/ignss2018/files/u80/Papers/IGNSS2018_paper_29.pdf|journal=International Global Navigation Satellite Systems Association|volume=IGNSS Conference 2018|pages=11}}</ref>

The origin of the term "thinned array curse" is not clear. [[Robert L. Forward]] cites use of the term in unpublished [[Hughes Research Laboratories]] reports dating from 1976 <ref>T. R. O'Meara, ''The Thinned Array Curse Theorems,'' Hughes Research Laboratories, unpublished internal report, Malibu CA Dec. 1976</ref>,<ref>W. B. Bridges, ''Looking at the Thinned Array Curse from a Slightly Different View,'' Hughes Research Laboratories, unpublished internal report, Malibu CA April 1976</ref>

The origin of the term "thinned array curse" is not clear. [[Robert L. Forward]] cites use of the term in unpublished [[Hughes Research Laboratories]] reports dating from 1976 .<ref>T. R. O'Meara, ''The Thinned Array Curse Theorems,'' Hughes Research Laboratories, unpublished internal report, Malibu CA Dec. 1976</ref>,<ref>W. B. Bridges, ''Looking at the Thinned Array Curse from a Slightly Different View,'' Hughes Research Laboratories, unpublished internal report, Malibu CA April 1976</ref>

==Example==

Consider a number of small sub-apertures that are mutually adjacent to one another, so that they form a filled aperture array. Suppose that they are in orbit, beaming [[microwave]]s at a spot on the ground. Now, suppose you hold constant the number of sub-apertures and the power emitted by each, but separate thesethe sub-apertures (butwhile keepkeeping them mutually phased) so as to [[aperture synthesis|synthesize a larger aperture (such as a [[radiotelescope]] array). The spot size on the ground is reduced in size proportionally to the diameter of the synthesized array (and hence the area is reduced proportionally to the diameter of the synthesized array squared), but the power density at the ground is unchanged.

Thus:

1.# The array is radiating the same amount of power (since each individual sub-aperture making the array radiates a constant amount of power whether or not it is adjacent the next aperture).

2.# It has the same power per unit area at the center of the receiving spot on the ground.

3. # The receiving spot on the ground is smaller.

From these three facts, it is clear that if the synthesized aperture has an area ''A'', and the total area of it that is filled by active transmitters is ''a'', then at most a fraction ''a''/''A'' of the radiated power reaches the target, and the fraction 1 - ''a''/''A'' is lost. This loss shows up in the form of power in [[side lobe]]s.

2. It has the same power per unit area at the center of the receiving spot on the ground.

This theorem can also be derived in more detail by considering a partially- filled transmitter array as being the superposition of a fully- filled array plus an array consisting of only the gaps, broadcasting exactly out of phase with the filled array. The [[Interference (wave propagation)|interference]] pattern between the two reduces the power in the main beam lobe by exactly the factor 1 - ''a''/''A''.

3. The receiving spot on the ground is smaller.

Note that the thinned array curse applies only to [[mutual coherence (physics)| mutually coherent]] sources. If the transmitting sources are not mutually coherent, the size of the ground spot does not depend on the relationship of the individual sources to one another, but is simply the sum of the individual spots from each source.

From these three facts, it is clear that if the synthesized aperture has an area A, and the total area of it that is filled by active transmitters is a, then at most a fraction a/A of the radiated power reaches the target, and the fraction 1 - a/A is lost. This loss shows up in the form of power in [[side lobe]]s.

This theorem can also be derived in more detail by considering a partially-filled transmitter array as being the superposition of a fully-filled array plus an array consisting of only the gaps, broadcasting exactly out of phase with the filled array. The [[interference]] pattern between the two reduces the power in the main beam lobe by exactly the factor 1 - a/A.

Note that the thinned array curse applies only to [[mutual coherence | mutually coherent]] sources. If the transmitting sources are not mutually coherent, the size of the ground spot does not depend on the relationship of the individual sources to one another, but is simply the sum of the individual spots from each source.

==Consequences==

The thinned array curse means that while synthesized apertures are useful for receivers with high angular resolution, they are not useful for power transmitters. It also means that if a filled array transmitter has gaps between individual elements, the main lobe of the beam will lose an amount of power proportional to the area of the gaps. Likewise, if a transmitter comprises multiple individual transmitters, some of which fail, the power lost from the main lobe will exceed the power of the lost transmitter, because power will be also be diverted into the side lobes.

The thinned array curse has consequences for [[microwave power transmission]] and [[wireless energy transfer]] concepts such as [[solar power satellite]]s; it suggests that it is not possible to make a smaller beam and hence reduce the size of a receiver (called a ''[[rectenna]]'' for microwave power beaming) by phasing together beams from many small satellites.

A short derivation of the thinned array curse, focusing on the implications for use of [[lasers]] to provide impulse for an [[interstellar probe]] (that is, an application of [[beam-powered propulsion]]), can be found in Robert Forward's paper "Roundtrip Interstellar Travel Using Laser Pushed Lightsails."<ref name="Forward 1984 pp. 187–195">{{cite journal | last=Forward | first=Robert L. Forward,| "title=Roundtrip Interstellarinterstellar Traveltravel Usingusing Laserlaser-pushed Pushedlightsails Lightsails,"| ''J.journal=Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol.| publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) | volume=21,'' No.| issue=2, Mar-Apr| year=1984, pp| issn=0022-4650 | doi=10.2514/3.8632 190| pages=187–195 | bibcode=1984JSpRo..21..187F | citeseerx=10.1.1.1079.9524 }}</ref>."

==ReferencesSee also==

*[[Radiation pattern]]

<references />

==Notes==

*The general theory of phased array antennas, from which the thinned array curse can be derived, can be found in [http://www.ece.rutgers.edu/~orfanidi/ewa/ch18.pdf Chapter 18] of Sophocles J. Orfanidis, ''Electromagnetic Waves and Antennas'' (electronic version accessed May 22, 2007).

{{Reflist}}

*See also Constantine A. Balanis: “Antenna Theory, Analysis and Design”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2nd ed. 1982 ISBN 0-471-59268-4

==See alsoReferences==

{{Refbegin}}

*[[Radiation pattern]]

*The general theory of phased array antennas, from which the thinned array curse can be derived, can be found in [http://www.ece.rutgers.edu/~orfanidi/ewa/ch18ch19.pdf Chapter 1819] of Sophocles J. Orfanidis, ''Electromagnetic Waves and Antennas'' (electronic version accessed MayJuly 2220, 20072009).

*See also Constantine A. Balanis: “Antenna Theory, Analysis and Design”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2nd ed. 1982 {{ISBN |0-471-59268-4}}

{{Refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thinned-Array Curse}}

[[Category:Interferometry]]

[[Category:Electromagnetic radiation]]