Systems Capabilities of Arrays of Large-Aperture Antennas

The array approach to increasing space-communication capability is analyzed and discussed. The problem of signal acquisition is given particular attention. A lower range bound of array operation is defined by assuming a system which employs independent acquisition by each antenna circuit; an upper bound is defined by assuming a prefocused array. It is believed that systems can be implemented which have capabilities well in excess of that achievable by the former system and not greatly less than that achievable by the latter system.     

Signal Acquisition Techniques for Receiving Arrays of Large-Aperture Antennas

This paper considers the signal phase acquisition problem for arrays of large-aperture steerable antennas. In particular, long-range signal acquisition is considered for those cases in which the signal-to-noise ratio in each antenna-receiver channel is too low to permit signal phase-lock in each individual receiver. Techniques are discussed which promise to extend the array acquisition sensitivity toward that of an equivalent-area single-aperture antenna. Several acquisition methods are analyzed mathematically and an approximate minimum power threshold estimated for each technique. A numerical comparison between the acquisition techniques for various assumed atmospheric conditions is presented which indicates the limitations on array sensitivity imposed by both the transmission medium and the acquisition technique.