In linear phased arrays, if the electronic pattern has a slope, the sound beam is ______.

In linear phased arrays, if the electronic pattern has a slope, the sound beam is ______.

• A. Steering
• B. Focusing
• C. Deflecting
• D. Shaping

Answer: (A)

The key idea is beam steering with a phase gradient. In a linear phased array, applying a linear phase shift across the elements creates a phase gradient that tilts the interference pattern. When the electronic pattern has a slope, constructive interference occurs at an angle away from broadside, so the sound beam is steered to that direction. This is how you direct the beam without moving the transducer. Focusing involves bending energy to a point using a curved phase profile, which is different from a slope that steers the beam.

The key idea is beam steering with a phase gradient. In a linear phased array, applying a linear phase shift across the elements creates a phase gradient that tilts the interference pattern. When the electronic pattern has a slope, constructive interference occurs at an angle away from broadside, so the sound beam is steered to that direction. This is how you direct the beam without moving the transducer.

Focusing involves bending energy to a point using a curved phase profile, which is different from a slope that steers the beam.