Beamforming of LOFAR Radio Telescope Antennas Used as Sensors in Passive Radiolocation System

The paper presents the results of studies on analysis, implementation and testing of beamforming methods which can be used for enhancement of radiolocation capabilities of radioastronomical LOFAR station in the context of its use for passive radiolocation. Using the LOFAR system for passive radiolocation might be an highly cost-effective solution for location of objects due to the fact that most of the necessary equipment already exists. In this paper the location of planes by a single LOFAR station in Borowiec was considered as the proof of concept for a more complex system for localizing space objects in the future. The beamforming Phase-Shift algorithm used for passive radiolocation by means of LOFAR station was presented and thoroughly discussed. Beam patterns of steered antenna array of a LOFAR station and its single subapertures, known as tiles, were shown. Occurrence of grating lobes in presented beam patterns is also discussed. The results of preliminary experiments performed with real signals registered by the LOFAR station in Borowiec confirm the efficiency regarding enhancement of radiolocation capabilities, increasing radar's range and certainty of detection by means of beamforming.