Some factors affecting angular resolution in an adaptive antenna

Aperture diameter is the fundamental determinant of angular resolution for an area-coverage satellite communication adaptive nulling antenna. The choice of reference element for a phased array and the choice of phase taper for a multibeam antenna also have a large effect on resolution. For both a multibeam antenna and an array, the choice of quiescent (or unadapted) pattern will affect the resolution. In using an algorithm in which a steering weight vector is prescribed to determine the quiescent pattern, the amplitude and phase distribution of the quiescent vector may be chosen to maximize the resolution of the adapted pattern, at least in certain directions. With an array, the choice of reference element for the quiescent pattern is of most concern.