Shaped Elevation Pattern Synthesis for Reflector Antenna

Abstract

In this article, a method based on the invasive weed optimization algorithm is described for synthesizing a point source doubly curved reflector antenna. The proposed method is for designing a reflector with a shaped pattern in an elevation plane and a narrow beam in perpendicular plane. By determining two basic curves, the doubly curved reflector surface can be produced. The central vertical curve approximately produces a shaped elevation pattern. It can be expressed by a well-defined function, and the function parameters will compose a solution space to be explored by invasive weed optimization. The transverse section curve is known to be a part of a parabolic reflector for producing a narrow beam in that plane. The validity of the proposed method is verified by an example of a shaped elevation pattern reflector antenna; the example is a flat-topped elevation pattern. The simulation results based on physical optics further prove the validity and versatility of this technique for solving reflector synthesized problems. Simulation results show good agreement between the defined elevation pattern goal and the achieved elevation pattern. Physical optics simulation during the optimization process makes the synthesis procedure exact and trustable.