Sparse array antenna optimization using genetic alghoritms

The aim of sparse array antenna synthesis is to obtain a desired radiation pattern with a minimum number of antenna elements. In this paper, the antenna synthesis problem is approached in a different manner. Starting from a uniform linear antenna array radiation pattern, the maximum number of elements that can be removed, while maintaining a desired radiation pattern, is determined using genetic algorithms optimization. Parameters such as beamwidth and sidelobe levels are evaluated for different types of sparse array antennas and are compared with those obtained for a uniformly spaced antenna array. Numerical examples are presented to show the high efficiency of the proposed method.