Conventional radar antenna systems are susceptible to performance degradation caused by unwanted signals received via the antenna sidelobes and/or mainlobes. Adaptive array systems offer possible solution to this interference problem by automatically steering nulls to unwanted signals providing significant system performance improvement. Another important andvantage of the adaptive array is its self-optimization capability which uses the collective incoming noise data for the nulling purposes. This paper provides a tutorial introduction to adaptive arrays as well as some new development of recent research in this area. Optimum link between the antenna theory and signal processing has been sought by illustrating the gain patterns and output signal-to-noise ratio. Signal acqusition methods are shown including a new attempt of the use of spread-spectrum techniques in conjuction with array systems.
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