Hardware-assisted initialisation for constant modulus algorithm adaptive antenna

A cost-effective approach for initialisation of an adaptive antenna based on the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) is proposed. The technique utilises 1 bit phase shifters and a power detector, which are normally integrated with a multibeam antenna, to determine the maximum power beam direction. Consequently, the beam is exploited as an initial beam for CMA. Development of hardware-assisted initialisation is discussed. In addition field programmable gate array implementation of a CMA processor and associated control circuitry is presented. Several simulations are performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed initialisation technique. In addition, the developed prototype is tested with a phase array antenna designed for operation at the IMT2000 frequency of 1.95 GHz. Experimental results confirm superiority of the proposed technique.