A beam-steering antenna array using injection locked coupled oscillators with self-tuning of oscillator free-running frequencies

The analysis and experimental results of an antenna array using injection locked coupled oscillators with self-tuning of oscillator free-running frequencies are presented. With the use of coupled type-II phase locked loops for tuning oscillator free-running frequencies and an external injection signal for stabilizing the array operating frequency, this antenna array can steer its beam through a single control voltage and hold its output frequency at the injection signal frequency in operation. In addition, its beam-pointing error arising from phase errors in coupled oscillators can be reduced and the array works well over a certain frequency band. Phase dynamics and stability are studied and experimentally verified. Experimental results of a three-element injection locked coupled oscillator array show that its uniform phase progression ranges between -16° and 52°, and the phase errors are less than 5° at 2.7 GHz. The operation bandwidth is shown from 2.68-2.72 GHz. By loading the injection locked coupled oscillator array with rectangular patch antennas, the beam-steering radiation characteristics are measured at various control voltages. © 2008 IEEE.