Dynamic Refocusing of a Flexible Phased Array via Shape Tracking

This work demonstrates a dynamically self-correcting flexible phased array that maintains stable beamforming performance during continuous mechanical deformation. The array integrates strain-gauge curvature sensors and a multichannel ADC, while a real-time reconstruction engine estimates the array shape, computes corresponding phase corrections for all its radiators, and reprograms each channel’s phase shift on-the-fly. Radiation-pattern characteristics are similar to those obtained from image-based array shape estimation. Dynamic experiment shows that without correction, deformation-induced phase errors can produce deep nulls approaching –23 dB, whereas the tracking system sustains a stable ±1.5 dB of received power throughout the motion while operating at a 26 Hz correction rate. Compared to previous works, operated mostly in static scenarios, these results mark a significant advancement in real-time beam stabilization of reconfigurable phased arrays.