Ultra-Large Digital Array Pattern Verification Using Beam Steering

Space surveillance radars use ultra-large digital array antennas for high gain and efficient operation. These systems require periodic calibration, and the accuracy of the calibration can be verified by measuring radiation patterns. However, there are practical limitations to verifying patterns in the field using existing measurement methods. Therefore, this study proposes a novel method for verifying radiation patterns using a calibration probe and beam steering. A tiled-array model was constructed to verify the proposed method, and the radiation patterns were verified through simulations. Subsequently, radiation patterns formed using near-field electric fields in the same environment were obtained and compared with those generated using the proposed method. The two radiation patterns yielded similar results, suggesting that the proposed method can be useful for field pattern verification of ultra-large digital array antennas.