A New TDU-Based Hierarchical Beamforming Framework to Suppress Grating Lobes and Save Space

Thomas, DWK; Wu, K; Guo, YJ

A New TDU-Based Hierarchical Beamforming Framework to Suppress Grating Lobes and Save Space

Thomas, DWK Wu, K

Guo, YJ

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Publisher:: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2025, PP, (99), pp. 1-1
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Thomas, DWK
dc.contributor.author	Wu, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1298-6404
dc.contributor.author	Guo, YJ
dc.date.accessioned	2025-08-11T03:53:50Z
dc.date.available	2025-08-11T03:53:50Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2025, PP, (99), pp. 1-1
dc.identifier.issn	2637-6431
dc.identifier.issn	2637-6431
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189344
dc.description.abstract	This paper introduces a new hierarchical beamforming network (HBFN) design methodology that introduces a new degree of freedom in the time delay unit (TDU) allocation across beamforming layers. By varying the TDU delay range within a single layer instead of using a uniform delay profile, this method reduces quantization error magnitudes, significantly suppresses grating lobes and optimizes physical space utilization. This approach alters the statistical structure of quantization errors, leading to an 11.2 dB reduction in grating lobes for a 16×16 planar array in full-wave EM simulation. Additionally, a large-scale 256×256 array model demonstrates an 18.0 dB grating lobe suppression and a space saving of up to 29.9%, confirming the scalability of the approach. The reduced space requirement of TDUs enables improved mobility, supporting the transition to flat panel arrays and making it well-suited for radar, satellite and mmWave communication systems. This paper presents a rigorous analytical framework, full-wave electromagnetic validation and a discussion of the practical impact of these findings in phased array design.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
dc.relation.ispartof	IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1109/OJAP.2025.3575424
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	4006 Communications engineering
dc.subject.classification	4008 Electrical engineering
dc.title	A New TDU-Based Hierarchical Beamforming Framework to Suppress Grating Lobes and Save Space
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	PP
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Electrical and Data Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Global Big Data Technologies Centre (GBDTC)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-08-11T03:53:49Z
pubs.issue	99
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	PP
utslib.citation.issue	99

Abstract:

This paper introduces a new hierarchical beamforming network (HBFN) design methodology that introduces a new degree of freedom in the time delay unit (TDU) allocation across beamforming layers. By varying the TDU delay range within a single layer instead of using a uniform delay profile, this method reduces quantization error magnitudes, significantly suppresses grating lobes and optimizes physical space utilization. This approach alters the statistical structure of quantization errors, leading to an 11.2 dB reduction in grating lobes for a 16×16 planar array in full-wave EM simulation. Additionally, a large-scale 256×256 array model demonstrates an 18.0 dB grating lobe suppression and a space saving of up to 29.9%, confirming the scalability of the approach. The reduced space requirement of TDUs enables improved mobility, supporting the transition to flat panel arrays and making it well-suited for radar, satellite and mmWave communication systems. This paper presents a rigorous analytical framework, full-wave electromagnetic validation and a discussion of the practical impact of these findings in phased array design.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189344