CONCEPTS FOR SPATIALLY ENCODING MILLIMETER WAVE BEAM

A CONCEPT FOR USING SIDEBAND MODULATIONS TO CREATE A MONOPULSE LIKE GUIDANCE SIGNAL SUITABLE FOR USE BY A MISSILE IN FLIGHT IS PRESENTED. THIS APPROACH OFFERS ADVANTAGES OVER A TRUE MONOPULSE WHICH INCLUDE: VERY LOW COST/SIMPLE ON-BOARD RECEIVER; REDUCE MULTI-PATH PROBLEMS DUE TO LOW ANGLE CLUTTER; AND, GROWTH POTENTIAL TO INCLUDE RANGE INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR USE WITH AN ACTIVE TERMINAL GUIDANCE (HYBIRD SYSTEM). IN ADDITION, A SOLUTION IS OFFERED FOR THE ACQUISITION PROBLEM. INITIAL MISSILE LOCK-UP IS FACILITATED THROUGH THE USE OF A VARIABLE BEAMWIDTH RADIATING ELEMENT.