Antenna-array pattern nulling using a differential evolution algorithm

A new method based on the differential evolution (DE) algorithm is proposed for antenna-array pattern synthesis with prescribed nulls. The array excitation amplitudes are the only controlling parameters, and the objectives are to synthesize array patterns with nulls imposed on directions of interferences while keeping the sidelobe levels (SLLs) below prescribed levels. Many factors such as the excitation dynamic range ratio, null depth level, null width, and SLLs are taken into account in the synthesis. Simulation results of several typical problems are compared with published results to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 14: 57–63, 2004.