UWB Antennas Beamforming Using Passive Time-Reversal Device

Abstract : In this letter, the feasibility of a new concept of passive antenna beamformer is investigated. The main idea is to develop a (1×N)-ports device in which the weightings on output ports are applied by time-reversal operation. The control of antennas weightings is then contained in the input waveform without the need of active components or external control signals. This approach is validated experimentally by radiation pattern measurement of a four-Vivaldi-antennas array, associated to a small reverberation cell beamformer. Finally, this concept is applied to realize a passive ultrawideband (UWB) phased-array radar for target imaging.