Array Shape Self-Calibration for Large Flexible Antenna

Abstract

This paper presents a method dealing with the self-calibration problem in term of array shape for large flexible antenna. This implies to take into account the phenomena of distortion and vibration that this kind of antenna, like an array mounted under flexible wing, can suffer from. We propose a technique that eliminates, on the first part, the phase ambiguities due to the large static bending, and on the second part, that estimates an instantaneous array shape. This two-step method allows us to follow the antenna during its dynamic fluctuations due to vibrating modes. We present simulation results in case of two particular large flexible antennas.