Design of Electronically Steerable Randomly Spaced Planar Antenna Array by Exploiting Spatial Density Theory

Abstract

In this paper design approach for electronically steerable randomly spaced planar antenna (ES-RSPA) array is reported. The proposed strategy provides maximum possible reduction in peak side lobe level (PSLL), higher aperture and power efficiencies and enhances ability for electronic scanning by exploiting spatial density theory. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) search technique is applied to simulate desire spatial density (variable elements' spacing in the range $0.5\lambda - 1.5\lambda$) corresponding to lowest PSLL. To determine and corroborate the effectualness of the proposed approach, a $24\times 24-\mathbf{element}$ element ES-RSPA array is numerically analysed over the scan volume of $\pm 40^{0}$ in both horizontal and vertical planes. Results incurred through the proposed approach are equated with those obtained for Taylor tapered uniformly spaced array of similar size.