Phased-only pattern synthesis for sunflower and conformal arrays with shaped radiation patterns

Abstract

This paper introduces a shaped radiation pattern from 2-D planar and 3-D conformal antenna arrays based on phase-only synthesis technique using particle swarm optimization. The 2-D planar sunflower and 3-D conformal arrays, cylindrical helical and spherical helical arrays are investigated. Different radiation pattern constrains are employed in the synthesis process for beam shaping. A single narrow and flat-top beams are estimated using the 2-D planar sunflower array. Using the same phase distribution, two narrow beams and flat-top beams are estimated in different planes. A 3-D conformal arrays, cylindrical and spherical helical arrays consist of four orthogonally oriented arms are proposed. The proposed structure introduces four independent beams in four different directions separately. Also, simultaneous four beams are obtained. The side lobe level (SLL) of the synthesized patterns is optimized below −17 dB. The analysis was implemented in a computer using home programmed MATLAB code which is based on the array theory formulation.