Grating lobe

A grating lobe is a secondary, unintended signal that occurs in antenna arrays or radar systems, similar to echo lines that appear away from the main direction of focus. These lobes result from the spacing between individual antenna elements, which can cause the system to mistakenly detect signals as if they’re coming from other directions. This can lead to false detections or reduced clarity. To minimize grating lobes, engineers carefully design the spacing between antennas, often using smaller distances relative to the wavelength of the signal, ensuring the main beam accurately targets the desired direction.