Frequency diverse array with range-dependent transmit beampattern

Frequency diverse array (FDA) is a new antenna array concept. Different from phased-array which offers range-independent beampattern, FDA employs a small frequency increment across the antenna elements and yields a range-dependent beampattern. This enables the array beam to scan without the need of phase shifters or mechanical steering and provides potentials to suppress/detect range-dependent interferences/targets. This reviewing paper presents several FDA implementation issues from a top-level system description and discusses several technical challenges in transmit waveform optimization, array configuration and optimum array processing, which appeals to the array signal processing and array system engineering communities for more investigations on such a new concept.