Interleaved Sparse Arrays for Polarization Control of Electronically Steered Phased Arrays for Meteorological Applications

A method is described for adjusting the far-field polarization of an electronically steered phased-array antenna. In this method, the polarization of a small subset of array elements is switched in order to reduce far-field cross-polarization of the overall array. The technique is intended for antennas used in polarimetric radars that measure quantities such as differential reflectivity (Z_dr) and specific differential phase (K_DP). In particular, it is appropriate for lower cost arrays where only one transmit or receive polarization is active at a time. In such arrays, it will reduce the number of measurements needed by one-third. Analysis of the tradeoffs in the technique is presented as well as examples in hypothetical large arrays. Measured results are presented for a small 4×4 array.