Reconfigurable arrays by phase-only control

A novel approach to the synthesis of arrays reconfigurable by controlling only the phase of the excitations is presented. This approach makes it possible to choose the best amplitude distribution during the synthesis, instead of choosing it a priori. The method is based on the projection approach to array synthesis. The feasibility of the proposed approach is shown with reference to a meaningful one-dimensional example, but the method can be used, without substantial modifications, for two-dimensional arrays as well. Attention is given to the synthesis of a reconfigurable array of 17 elements, able to radiate a cosecant beam and a flat-topped beam, with a phase-only control. The sidelobe requirement is -20 dB and the ripple in the shaped zone is 0.5 dB. the resulting patterns are shown.<>