A NEW LOW-SIDE-LOBE PATTERN SYNTHESIS TECHNIQUE FOR CONFORMAL ARRAYS

The application of the new nonlinear optimization algorithms to arrays design is demonstrated by the low-side-lobe pattern synthesis of conf ormal arrays. By adopting the information of array element realized ga in patterns (RGP's), we formulate synthesis problems as nonlinearly co nstrained optimization problems, and propose a new direct method to so lve them. The technique allows one to find a set of array coefficients that yield a pattern meeting a specified side-lobe level and achievin g the maximum directivity, if such a set of array coefficients exists. If the side-lobe specifications cannot be met with the given array, t he technique will result in a set of coefficients that yield a pattern meeting the best attainable side-lobe level and having directivity as high as possible. Also, simplified synthesis problems for an axial di pole array in an infinite, perfectly conducting cylinder are discussed , and numerical synthesis results are given. Our synthesis technique w orks for general array patterns.