Linear Aperiodic Array Synthesis Using an Improved Genetic Algorithm

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 895 - 902
• Main Authors: Cen, Ling, Yu, Zhu Liang, Ser, Wee, Cen, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.02.2012; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antennas; Aperiodic arrays; Applied sciences; Arrays; beam pattern synthesis; Beams (radiation); Biological cells; Computational efficiency; Exact sciences and technology; Genetic algorithms; Genetic Algorithms (GAs); linear arrays; Mutual coupling; Optimization; Optimization algorithms; Peak Sidelobe Level (PSL); Radiocommunications; Sensor arrays; Sidelobes; Studies; Synthesis; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Performance evaluation; Lateral lobe; Mutual coupling; Peak Sidelobe Level (PSL); beam pattern synthesis; Geometrical configuration; Nonlinear problems; linear arrays; Computational complexity; Optimization; Genetic Algorithms (GAs); Genetic algorithm; Aperiodic arrays; Cost function; Numerical simulation; Linear antenna arrays; Spatial resolution; Pattern synthesis; Antenna synthesis
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2011.2173111

A novel algorithm on beam pattern synthesis for linear aperiodic arrays with arbitrary geometrical configuration is presented in this paper. Linear aperiodic arrays are attractive for their advantages on higher spatial resolution and lower sidelobe. However, the advantages are attained at the cost of solving a complex non-linear optimization problem. In this paper, we explain the Improved Genetic Algorithm (IGA) that simultaneously adjusts the weight coefficients and inter-sensor spacings of a linear aperiodic array in more details and extend the investigations to include the effects of mutual coupling and the sensitivity of the Peak Sidelobe Level (PSL) to steering angles. Numerical results show that the PSL of the synthesized beam pattern has been successfully lowered with the IGA when compared with other techniques published in the literature. In addition, the computational cost of our algorithm can be as low as 10% of that of a recently reported genetic algorithm based synthesis method. The excellent performance of IGA makes it a promising optimization algorithm where expensive cost functions are involved.