Compromise pattern synthesis by means of optimized time-modulated array solutions

Originally, the use of time-modulated arrays was mainly devoted to the synthesis of low and ultra-low sidelobes arrays for the detection of radar signals [1]. Successively, only a few works have considered the use of time-modulated arrays for other applications (e.g., wireless communications [2]), although the first work proposing the use of time as an additional degree of freedom dates back to the 1950s [3]. Such an event has been probably caused by the main drawback of time-modulation that is the unavoidable presence of undesired sideband radiations (SRs) in the radiated field due to the periodic commutation of the RF switches between the on and off states. A detailed analysis on such a topic has been recently presented in [4], where a close-form relationship quantifying the power wasted in SR has been obtained.